Big Leagues Sue Jersey Over Sports Betting

Gov. Christie told casinos and racetracks earlier this month that it is legal.

America’s major pro sports leagues are joining the NCAA to put an end to sports betting in New Jersey.

Gov. Chris Christie’s administration approved such betting at the state’s casinos and racetracks, concluding this month it could evade a federal prohibition on the practice so long as the state didn’t regulate the sports gambling itself. That opened the door to betting without either state or federal restriction.

But the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, Major League Baseball and the NCAA say that reading of the law still violates the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which bans individual game betting everywhere but Nevada.

AP reports: “The leagues, in their filing on Monday, said that a 2011 law passed by New Jersey’s Legislature explicitly saw sports gambling being a state-regulated industry, which would be a violation of the 1992 act. They also argued that since casinos and racetracks are heavily regulated by the state, offering sports wagering there would amount to having it regulated by the state as well.” [AP]

Previously: Christie: Sports Betting Is Legal In New Jersey Now