Judge Shipp strikes down New Jersey sports betting

US Federal District Court Judge Michael Shipp ruled on Friday against New Jersey lifting the regulatory provisions of the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), allowing for sports betting in state licensed gambling premises (casinos and racetracks).

The decision by Judge Shipp was the expected outcome since the judge had ruled similarly in the past. New Jersey state officials are expected to take its case to a higher court.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney commented “The economic impact that sports wagering can have on New Jersey State is too important to simply shrug away. We are going to continue pursuing every legal option available”.

By ruling in favour of PASPA federal rulings, Judge Shipp supported the claims filed by the US Pro Leagues Association and the NCAA made against New Jersey allowing sports betting. Shipp commented that 1992 PASPA rulings that had allowed sports betting in certain US states amounted to regulation on sports wagering which could not be bypassed by New Jersey.

While Shipp agreed with the central part of the sports’ leagues argument, he dismissed some of their other arguments

Although New Jersey state officials were expecting Shipp to rule in favour of PASPA, the ongoing case to allow sports betting will not aid New Jersey gambling sector which has suffered a decline in its casino industry. In 2014 Atlantic City has seen the closure of 5 of its Boardwalk Casino resorts.

New Jersey officials and pro sports betting supporters have yet to comment on how they plan to take their case to higher US ruling courts.