Assembly Passes Sports Betting Measure
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February 11, 2008
TRENTON, NJ - The New jersey Assembly has passed a measure seeking voter
approval to legalize sports betting in Atlantic City casinos. The vote was 58-17
in favor. If approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, the measure will
be placed on November's ballot.
Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D., Cape May), said: "The people of New Jersey
deserve at least a chance to vote on this issue."
Supports believe Atlantic City could generate about $800 million a year from
sports betting. The Senate version would add race tracks to provide sports
gambling. Sen. Ray Lesniak (D., Union) is sponsoring the Senate bill which has
yet to be voted on.
The biggest obstacle facing the bill is the federal ban on sports betting.
Federal law limits sports betting or lotteries to four states: Nevada, Delaware,
Montana and Oregon. The law was sponsored by former Senator Bill Bradley and
supported by professional sports. It required that any state with legalized
casino gambling for ten years prior to January 1st, 1993 could also legalize
sports betting. However, states had one year to implement that. New Jersey did
not.
The ultimate decision may rest with the U.S. Congress to amend or repeal the law
or with the courts as a violation of states' rights.
"The big obstacle to making it a reality, though, is the federal ban on sports
betting . . . which won't go away just by our passing a bill in the Statehouse,"
said State Sen. Jim Whelan, chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and
Historic Preservation Committee. "I believe New Jersey voters would support
having state-regulated sports betting in casinos, but I don't want to create
false hopes."
Return to New Jersey Casinos.