Christie: New Jersey won't regulate sports betting

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the state government will have no role in regulating or taxing sports betting if casinos or racetracks begin offering it.

During a news conference in Camden on Tuesday, he also said he would not encourage or discourages those entities from starting sports books.

His remarks come one day after his administration issued a directive that sports betting run by casinos or any of the state's four horse-racing courses would no longer be considered illegal.

The administration also asked a federal judge to OK the state's directive.

A legal adviser for Monmouth Park Racetrack says it wants to begin offering sports betting within a month — perhaps beginning Sunday.

Professional and college sports leagues are expected to oppose the changes.