New Jersey: NCAA tournament highlights the need for legalized sports betting

Now, New Jersey lawmakers are using the huge draw of "March Madness" to promote the need for legalized sports betting in the Garden State. "If New Jersey had sports betting, March Madness would bring millions of dollars into Atlantic City and the state's economy," said Senate President Sweeney at a press conference held at The Irish Pub in Atlantic City.  "At a time of the year when the region's tourism could use a boost, the hotels and casinos would be filled. Restaurants and bars, like the Irish Pub, would be overflowing with people and the boardwalk would be filled with visitors. It's a flat out win for our state and we hope the Supreme Court will recognize that."

Sweeney appeared with Senator Jim Whelan, who represents the city in the legislature and is also its former mayor, Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo and current Mayor Don Guardian.

The men said the influx of tourism to the city for the tournament alone would be huge. According to reports, in 2013, Las Vegas had 3.5 million visitors in March, the highest single month's total of the year. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, occupancy rates at hotels were as high as 98 percent during March Madness.  In 2012 it was reported that Las Vegas casinos generate an estimated $100 million in revenue from sports betting during the NCAA tournament.

"There is no question that this time of year could transform Atlantic City if the courts would allow sports betting in New Jersey. We are talking about thousands of people coming into the region for weeks. The benefit to Atlantic City in terms of jobs and revenue is about more than just legal briefs and court arguments: it's about the livelihood of an entire town," said Whelan.

Three years ago, state voters passed a referendum allowing sports betting in the state.  The NCAA as well as the major professional sports leagues sued the state, arguing that New Jersey was violating federal law.

After losing in federal court, last month the administration of Gov. Chris Christie and members of the state legislature asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 22-year old law banning sports betting at state casinos.

At issue in the case is the line between state and federal jurisdiction.  The suit claims its unfair that sports betting is limited to a small handful of states, including Nevada, which were grandfathered when the law was passed.

"It impermissibly trenches on the states' authority to regulate their own citizens, and it does so in a manner that discriminates among the states," the state wrote in its appeal. "That double-barreled infringement on the sovereign prerogatives of the states calls out for review."

Responses from the sports leagues were due yesterday.