Gov. Chris Christie has a gambling problem — one that will stretch far beyond this resort city if he runs for president next year.
As the gaming industry continues its free fall, Christie says he wants to “stop the bleeding” in Atlantic City, where the municipal government is a financial train wreck and the casinos have become mostly losing bets for their owners as former patrons flock to competitors in neighboring states.
It’s a dilemma with added political urgency for Christie as he nears an announcement on seeking the 2016 Republican nomination for president — a campaign in which rivals surely will try to pin New Jersey’s ills (Atlantic City isn’t the only one) on Christie…
Christie and Jon Hanson, a top adviser and political fundraiser, met with elected officials and casino industry leaders Wednesday in Atlantic City. The next day, Hanson released a report with recommendations intended to soften financial impacts from the casino closings.
There was no mention in the report of Internet gambling and sports betting, both of which have been disappointments after being touted as potential boosts to the city.
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