New Jersey sports betting decision delayed

According to the Associated Press news agency, the Judge was due to have published an opinion about the case yesterday (Monday) but will now instead hear oral arguments on October 31 before ruling on whether his 2013 order permits New Jersey to offer sports betting as long as it is not state-regulated.

The New Jersey Assembly’s Tourism and Gaming committee have unanimously approved Bill A-3711, proposed legislation that will repeal a ban on sports betting in the State. In August Governor Chris Christie surprised many by issuing a directive allowing New Jersey sports betting without fear of prosecution.  The Bill is designed to reinstate the State’s legal argument and support Christie’s directive.

Bill A-3711 is sponsored by Assembly Democrats John Burzichelli, Ralph Caputo, Vincent Mazzeo and Raj Mukherji. “The gaming industry in New Jersey is struggling. Allowing sports betting in our casinos and racetracks can give the industry a much needed boost,” said Chairman of the Assembly Tourism and Gaming committee, Ralph Caputo.

“The third circuit court made it clear there was nothing in New Jersey law preventing the state from repealing its sports wagering ban. Lifting the ban helps us clear yet another hurdle in the ongoing battle to finally bring sports betting to the state.”

“Atlantic City is at a crossroads. Several casinos have folded and thousands of people have lost their jobs. Doing nothing and hoping things get better is not an option,” Mazzeo weighed in. “We know the impact that neighboring competition has had on the state’s gaming industry. It is time for solutions. Sports betting may not be a fix-all, but it can certainly help the casinos still fighting the good fight.”

In related news, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Shipp has granted an extension, for preparation of oral arguments in the sports betting case, to October 31, 2014. Christie has requested Shipp clarify a Third Court Ruling that affirms the sports betting ban, a request that is opposed by the major sports leagues.

An assembly panel released last Thursday a bill its sponsors say will help strengthen the state's legal argument for allowing sports betting in the state. The bill released would repeal all prohibitions, permits, licenses and authorizations concerning sports betting at Atlantic City casinos or gambling houses and horse tracks throughout the state. Proponents of the bill say legal sports betting would be a boon for Atlantic City in a time of economic turmoil. Earlier this month the state Attorney General issued a directive saying sports betting is generally legal under state law and that such gamblers should not be prosecuted.

Sports betting is effectively restricted to Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon per the Sports Protection Act of 1992. However, bill sponsors argue that decree only bars explicitly state-sponsored betting and that a hands-off approach would allow casinos and racetracks to move forward.

The bill had previously been introduced in the General Assembly but was re-worked to align closer with a similar bill announced earlier this week by Senators Ray Lesniak and Joseph Kyrillos. Lesniak said that bill should go before the Senate at its next meeting October 23.