SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
New Jersey’s efforts to legalise sports betting are not over according to Senator Raymond ‘Ray’ Lesniak. The Senator who was a key member of the committee which brought forward the sports betting appeal to the Supreme Court, believes that the state of New Jersey could still offer sport betting through legal technicalities concerning gambling within the state.
Last Monday, in a written order the US Supreme Court rejected to review the appeal submitted by Governor Chris Christie. The appeal had asked the Court to review federal policy which blocks betting on sports in the state of New Jersey due to federal laws passed in 1992.
The federal government outlawed sports betting in 1992 but let any states that were already taking bets continue to do so under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act – PASPA. The states which incorporated the law include – Oregon, Delaware, Nevada and Montana, New Jersey passed on its chance to implement PASPA regulations.
Pointing to various legal technicalities concerning PASPA regulations on state sports betting, Lesniak believes that New Jersey could bypass the federal laws and allow sports betting on licensed gambling premises such as race tracks and casinos.
Lesniak pointed that the Bill, only forbids sates from actively encouraging sports betting by issuing licenses and promoting such activity. The Senator further outlined that federal frameworks on the subject matter were unclear on policing and monitoring of sports betting.
On Monday afternoon, just hours after the Supreme Court announced they would not hear New Jersey’s case, Lesniak introduced legislation that wouldn’t legalize sports betting in the state, but rather decriminalize it, thus bypassing federal laws.
Lesniak’s actions would allow for gambling licensed establishments such as race tracks and casinos to allow sports betting on their premises. Sport betting would be treated as a house game, such as roulette or blackjack.
The state of New Jersey would gain tax revenues from current licensed gambling companies operating in the state.
Major US sports governing bodies such as the NFL and NHL, have criticised the Governors actions, stating that if permitted Lesniak would allow unregulated sports betting to run wild in New Jersey.
New Jersey government officials and law makers, are yet to comment on whether they will review Governor Lesniak’s proposed measures for sports betting in the state.
