Atlantic City's casinos are facing a rough patch amidst the closure of the Atlantic Club, the Showboat Casino and troubles at Revel, but Gov. Chris Christie isn't ready to give up on AC.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JULY 8: A group of people play slot machines at Caesars Atlantic City July 8, 2006 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JULY 8: A group of people play slot machines at Caesars Atlantic City July 8, 2006 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
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Speaking in Keansburg on Monday, Christie said the casinos' recent troubles don't change the way the city should be addressed by the state.

"Listen, Atlantic City has always been challenging, and we've been trying lots of different ways to make it more attractive and competitive with its neighbors," Christie said.

Responding to requests made by Senate President Steve Sweeney regarding the possibility of expanding gambling outside of Atlantic City, Christie said any offer should take Atlantic City into consideration.

"In my view, any expansion of gaming to other parts of the state would have to have an element of that plan, how that gaming would help Atlantic City," the governor said.

Gaming proponents have asked that gambling to be expanded to include the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park in order to bolster revenue for both locations.

To give Atlantic City a chance to recover, a five-year moratorium on expanding gambling beyond the city was approved by lawmakers. That lasts until 2016.

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