New Jersey Seeks to End Ban on Betting Sports

New Jersey Seeks to End Ban on Betting Sports

New Jersey lawmakers are the first to respond, proposing a lawsuit against the US law preventing any but four states from legalizing sports betting.
Delaware's action to reinstate its dormant sports gambling program has upset other states, barred by federal law from following suit. New Jersey lawmakers are the first to respond, proposing a lawsuit against the US law preventing any but four states from legalizing sports betting.

Senator Ray Lesniak, head of the state Economic Growth Committee, thinks the Sports Protection Act of 1992 discriminates against states not permitted to make their own sports wagering laws. He plans on filing a lawsuit to that effect in federal district court before the end of March, according to NJ.com.

Like those who protest against the online casino ban, Lesniak first points to the inefficacy of the law.

"People are doing it (wagering on sports). They're doing it every day. They're doing it for the NCAA tournament. They're doing it for the Super Bowl and professional football," says the New Jersey Democrat.

Lesniak says that it's not right that New Jersey not be allowed to regulate this everyday activity, especially when competing states are. Now that Delaware plans to exploit its advantage, both it and Nevada will have advantages only Montana and Oregon are legally permitted to match.

Lesniak's plans follows ex-assistant state attorney general Frank Catania's open plea recently for the state to begin intrastate online gambling. Observers say clearly New Jersey is tired of federal restraints on what gaming entertainment it can offer.

Lesniak says, if sports gambling were regulated by the state, New Jersey could generate as much as $100 million annually for the state budget.


New Jersey Seeks to End Ban on Betting Sports