ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — A spokesman for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie calls the NCAA’s decision to move championship games out of the state because it plans to legalize sports betting “ludicrous and hypocritical.”
The athletic association says it cannot host games in states where gambling is allowed on them. New Jersey plans to license sports betting as soon as Jan. 9.
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak says the NCAA is penalizing New Jersey for legalizing what occurs illegally every day, often with the participation of organized crime. The spokesman also notes New Jersey would ban betting on New Jersey college teams and on any college games played in the state.
The NCAA and the major professional sports leagues are suing New Jersey to try to block the sports betting plan.
