The long struggle of Governor Chris Christie to liberalize sports betting in New Jersey went through a long and thorny road, but it finally met the approval of the U.S. Supreme Court to be placed on the table of discussion, aiming to lift the restrictions over sports betting, which is expected to bridge the gaps in the state’s budget.
The sports betting affair has met many difficulties till the U.S. Supreme Court finally agreed to hear the case. The long story in short, Governor Chris Christie placed many efforts to push the state’s bid to ease the restrictions on sports betting with the main idea to enhance casino and racing industry.
After being barred more than once, the bid finally managed to find its way. On Tuesday, 27th June, the official authorities announced their decision to enlist the state’s appeal in their Orders List, which means that the court will hear the case.
The main proponent of the NJ’s appeal, Governor Christie said to the interviewers that this does not mean that the proposal will pass, but it is a must step for the eventual success of the appeal. His attempts to “break the chains” on the sports betting started from the moment, in which he has entered the position.
State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat who has supported the state’s effort to legalize sports gambling, explained that this will enhance Atlantic City’s positions as a touristic destination and it will decrease the unemployment rate.
In fact, the major setback of the state’s appeal is the so-called Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), which put restrictions on the sports betting across the whole country, besides 4 states, which are not under its confines.
Nevertheless, the state had its opportunity to relax the restrictions before, but it failed to meet the deadline, in which the state’s local government needed to craft the legal framework. Thus, being in the grip of the federal law, the sports betting remained illicit practice for long.
South Jersey U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo admired the decision of the court to hear the case. He himself also introduced a bill in Congress, which attempt to repeal the restrictions over sports betting. After being signed by the President, it is expected to give a time limit of four years, in which all the states can enact legislation to allow sports betting go out of the shadowy world.
On 27th June, the official justice authorities announced that they will groupthink the state’s appeal. New Jersey’s bid will finally meet approval, as it was explained that the authorities are placing hopes that its liberalization will stop the leakage of money to illicit gambling practices, since the fact that sports betting is currently outlawed does not mean that it does not exist – even the opposite.
Thus, it seems to be a better deal for the state to nix the restrictions, legalize and tax the sports betting sector. This will give a strong boost to the economy and to the further development of the industry.
