New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he’ll actively campaign against allowing casinos in the north half of the state unless Atlantic City accedes to his demand for a state takeover of the city’s finances.

Christie had been a vocal proponent of allowing two new casinos in north Jersey, and state residents will get a chance to vote yea or nay on the issue via a ballot referendum this November. But Christie now says the issue is bound to be rejected unless AC gets its fiscal house in order ASAP, and the only way he sees that happening is if the state takes control.

On Thursday, Christie held a press conference, at which he claimed there was “no way voters will approve the expansion of gaming when the only place where gaming has been allowed goes down the toilet.” Christie believes AC is “headed for a disaster” along with the prospect of north Jersey gaming “if we don’t get our act together.”

Clearly missing the gene that allows one to discern irony, Christie claimed it was high time “to stop all the theater,” then vowed to “campaign across the state against the referendum” if AC mayor Don Guardian continues to resist calls to sign over financial control of the city. “And I’ll make sure [the referendum is] defeated.”