New Jersey sports betting suffers major setback
Federal appeals court rules in favor of major sporting leagues, but Senator Lesniak says the state will appeal the decision Â
New Jerseyâs attempts to legalize sports betting have suffered a near-fatal blow after a federal appeals court ruled in favor of major sports leagues who have moved to block the state from allowing its casinos and race tracks to offer wagers to players.
The United States Court of Appeals in Philadelphia yesterday ruled 2-1 in favor of the sports leagues, which include the NFL and the NCAA, and said the stateâs attempts to offer sports betting violated the Professional and Amateur Spots Protection Act (PASAP).
Federal law bans any state from legalizing sports betting, but New Jersey claimed it wasnât regulating, licensing or otherwise authorizing sports betting, but simply telling the racetracks they would not be prosecuted if they launched a sportsbook.
But in his ruling, Judge Julio Fuentes said the state had made a number of stipulations such as requiring players to be 21 and over, which meant it was effectively regulating the activity, and noted there is âsimply no conceivable reading of PASPA that could preclude a state from restricting sports wageringâ.
The battle is not over, however, with New Jersey Senator Raymond Lesniak confirming to eGR North America that the state would appeal the ruling âto the entire third circuit benchâ.