New Jersey sports betting appeal date set

New Jersey’s arguments for legalising sports betting will be heard by the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in early December.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the appeal hearing for December 4, when New Jersey representatives will argue for the overturning of the Department of Justice’s 2015 decision that it should not be allowed to sanction a state-licensed sports betting bill.

The state’s position is to overturn the federal 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which makes it unlawful for governmental entities to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, licence or authorise betting, gambling or wagering schemes based on games played by amateur or professional athletes.

New Jersey has said this law is unconstitutional, adding that it is against the U.S. Constitution for the federal government to usurp state rights and provide Nevada – the only state where full sports betting is currently legal and operational – with the ability to run a sports betting scheme, while denying other states the same opportunity.

SCOTUS said it would review the Department of Justice decision last June.

If SCOTUS supports New Jersey’s initial motion, state officials will be allowed to debate the implementation of a New Jersey betting bill in 2018. State officials would have to convince five of the Supreme Court’s nine justices to approve its sports bill.

Related article: New Jersey sports betting decision delayed