Governor Chris Christie
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has given a directive to all state casinos and racetracks that they may offer sports betting, a move that is most certainly going to be challenged by all the sports leagues in New Jersey.
The Governor said he made the decision following a court ruling indicating that there is nothing in state law that prohibits casinos and racetracks from offering sports betting.
With the professional and collegiate sports leagues have already been fighting the state against allowing sports betting in the courts, however the legal challenge ended when the supreme court refused to hear the case, giving governor Chris Christie the cue for this latest move.
Christie said that the directive allows for all casinos and racetracks to offer immediately if they wished sports betting, but one race track Meadowlands said they currently have no plans to offer sports betting.
“Based on the arguments of the sports leagues and the United States Department of Justice, the 3rd Circuit has already ruled that New Jersey can carry out sports wagering as described in today’s statewide directive,” the governor’s office wrote in a statement. “The motion simply would clarify and formalize that authority and give clear guidance to casinos and racetracks waiting to open a sports pool in New Jersey.”
The professional football, baseball, basketball and hockey leagues, as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, all opposed New Jersey’s effort to legalize sports betting, saying it could give the appearance that the integrity of the games has been compromised.
Senator Ray Lesniak a well-known supporter of online gambling and sports betting in the state said, “Victory at last!” “People should book their hotel rooms in Atlantic City for the Super Bowl now because there won’t be any available in February.”
Lesniak said he expects the leagues to challenge the move, but predicted: “They don’t have any arguments left to make. This is all over but the shouting.”
He said he does not expect sports betting to begin until a court rules that it is legal.
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