ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Don King has asked to withdraw his application for a license in New Jersey because he is unwilling to answer questions about his dealings with former International Boxing Federation chairman Bob W. Lee.

King is not willing to talk to state investigators about Lee, who was convicted in a racketeering case three years ago and banned from boxing. King had been told that state investigators planned to question him about Lee.

On Tuesday, King's lawyers filed a petition formally seeking withdrawal of King's pending application for a license to do business with New Jersey casinos. The application was filed April 24, 2002.

King, who promoted a fight card here Dec. 13, has been allowed to do business with casinos pending the outcome of a background investigation associated with his application.

King did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Wednesday.

The state Casino Control Commission, which has final say over licensing matters, still must act on King's request to withdraw his application. No vote has been scheduled yet, said spokesman Daniel Heneghan.

King, who has been allowed to do business with New Jersey casinos while his license application was being considered, may no longer have that luxury if he decides to return to the state.

The Division of Gaming will ask the commission, as a condition of its action, to ban King from promoting until he is granted a license.