Governor Christie On Sports Betting: Leagues Are 'Not In Touch With Reality'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- About one month ago, the New Jersey Senate approved a sports-betting bill.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is headed to Atlantic City on Wednesday to try to push along that process.
"Well, we'll talk about a number of things today about Atlantic City and plans that we have to continue to work to try to get the city to grow and evolve into just more, than just a gaming resort,' Christie told Angelo Cataldi Wednesday morning on the 94WIP Morning Show. "And certainly sports gaming is part of that and we feel like we've got a good chance to ultimately win in court, 'cause just think it isn't fair to allow other states to do this and to not allow folks in New Jersey to not enjoy the same opportunity."
Governor Christie explained why he believes sports betting in New Jersey should happen.
"What we know is, is sports gaming is going on every day in New Jersey in the shadows," Christie explained. "And why shouldn't we allow our tracks and our casinos, if they want to do that, to be able to do that? Make it their decision, but if they want to take those bets, why shouldn't they? Shouldn't people feel a little bit more secure making bets in places like that?"
Gambling and fantasy sports are so prevalent in sports, especially in the NFL, but these leagues are against legalizing sports betting.
"I find it very funny that their just not in touch with the reality of what's going on every day," Christie said. "The idea that they have shows on every Sunday to talk about the point spread. What relevance does the point spread have to a NFL game if it's not about gambling?
I think their argument about the harm that comes to their leagues is really kind of ridiculous and fact is, this is happening every day."
Christie, who joined the 94WIP Morning Show this past summer and talked about being a Cowboys fan, said he will not be at the Thanksgiving Game between the Eagles and Cowboys.
"I will be home in New Jersey, hosting Thanksgiving this year at our house," Christie said. "We will certainly make sure that dinner is worked around the beginning of the Cowboys-Eagles game."
"We all have our thing," Christie said, after Cataldi expressed displeasure for his Cowboys fandom. "We've talked about this before. I can't change. I can't do that."
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