NJ sports betting hopes ended by Appeals court

New Jersey will not be able to offer sports betting after its appeal against a previous ruling failed.

The United States Court of Appeals decided by a majority of 10-2 that a law passed by New Jersey in 2014 that would have allowed sports betting at its casinos and racetracks did not comply with the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) which prohibits states from authorising, sponsoring, operating or licensing sports betting.

The sports betting bill was first approved by New Jersey voters in 2011, with the country’s four major professional sports leagues beginning legal action against the proposed law the following year.

Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law in 2014 that repealed prohibitions against sports gambling. However, the legislation has since been stymied by legal action on several occasions, with last August's Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision validated by this week's ruling.

“Because PASPA, by its terms, prohibits states from authorising by law sports gambling, and because the 2014 law does exactly that, the 2014 law violates federal law,” the court wrote.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) said it was time for US laws to change and allow a regulated sector to replace the vast illegal betting market.

“Washington has a responsibility to fix a failed law that it created nearly 25 years ago,” said Geoff Freeman, the AGA’s president and chief executive. “A federal government prohibition has driven an illegal, and occasionally dangerous, sports betting market of at least $150 billion annually.

“Law enforcement, mayors, leaders in sports, fans and many others agree that it’s time for a regulated sports betting marketplace that protects consumers, communities and the integrity of sports we enjoy.”

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