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Gov. Christie Defends Decision To Not Take Control Of Ailing Atlantic City

ASBURY PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- More than 5,000 casino workers could be out of a job by next month between the closing of Showboat and Revel casinos alone.

That's what some union workers have asked why the state won't take control to keep them open, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.

"I'm not doing it. I told them that in Ocean City," Gov. Christie said.

Christie said the government has no place running a private business.

"We should try to help and facilitate help in private industry...and we do that in many different ways," Christie said.

Gov. Christie Defends Decision To Not Take Control Of Ailing Atlantic City

He says Atlantic City is still worth saving, going into the end of year four of his five-year plan to fix up the resort town. But the governor now admits it may be time to start looking at other plans.

"You want to do something different after five years. After year four, you've got to start thinking about it...and we're about near the end of year four," he said.

The goal is still to turn Atlantic City into more of a resort town than a gambling center, Christie said.

Revel Casino Hotel will shut down next month after failing to find a buyer in bankruptcy court, company officials announced Tuesday.

The company said the $2.4 billion casino will close its doors on Sept. 10. It has never turned a profit.

It will be the second of four Atlantic City casinos to shut down this year as the Atlantic City gambling market continues to crumble.

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