Gov. Chris Christie Issues Directive Letting AC Casinos Offer Sports BettingState To Join Nevada In Sports Betting Industry |
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On Monday, New Jersey’s Chris Christie allowed casinos and racetracks within the Garden State to begin offering sports betting.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, sports betting can begin right away. However, no bets can be taken on teams based in the Garden State or on any sporting event taking place in it.
In August, Christie vetoed a sports betting plan, saying that even though he still wanted it in his state, he didn’t want to go against federal law. State lawmakers were talking about trying to override his veto later this month, but they will no longer have to.
Before New Jersey embarks into the sports betting business, just Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Delaware were allowed to offer the activity. Nevada was the only to exercise the right. The 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act limited sports betting to just those four states.
“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 Garden State is desperately searching for something to keep its once vibrant brick-and-mortar casino industry afloat. By year’s end, just eight casinos will remain in Atlantic City, as revenues have been tumbling there since 2006.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to take up the New Jersey sports betting case. The major sports leagues, including the Department of Justice, have been fighting back vigorously to prevent the activity and they had been victorious.
According to a report, the leagues likely will sue again.
By issuing a directive order, Christie has struck down the state’s prohibition on sports betting. He arguably hasn’t outright authorized it, but that isn’t necessary, as the state learned from previous court proceedings. A more hands-off approach will suffice.
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