SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The U.S Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by the state of New Jersey to legalise sports betting within its borders.
The decision means that the case will be heard in the country’s highest court, with New Jersey having to convince five of the court’s nine justices to side with it against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
PASPA, passed in 1992, prohibits sports betting in the United States, but with an allowance in Nevada and in three other states – Oregon, Delaware, and Montana – that had already authorised limited wagering on sports contests.
The court is likely to hear the appeal during its fall session, with the ‘merit briefs’ scheduled to be filed by August. This is where the state of New Jersey addresses why it should win the case, which is expected to reference the preferential treatment given to the four exempt states.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) responded with the following statement: “We are pleased the Supreme Court appears to have responded favourably to our arguments as to why they should hear this case. And we are hopeful their engagement will provide further encouragement for Congress to take the steps necessary to create a regulated sports betting marketplace in the United States.”
