New Jersey Set to Regulate Sports Betting

State Senator Ray Lesniak is adamant that New Jersey will regulate sports betting by the start of American football season in September.

A federal ban on all sports betting activity outside of Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon is currently in place, but the US Supreme Court could decide not to renew the federal ban.

The Supreme Court will announce on Monday whether they will accept the state’s sports betting appeal, but Senator Ray Lesniak is adamant sports betting will soon be regulated regardless of the outcome.

Should the Supreme Court decline to legalize sports betting in New Jersey, Lesniak will introduce legislation designed to amend the state law and allow sports betting at the racetracks and Atlantic City Casinos before the NFL season kicks off in September. The Senator believes the legislation will be passed and enacted by Gov. Chris Christie.

“I’m not saying ‘One day.’ I’m saying September,” Lesniak said on “Boomer & Carton” show. “We’re going ahead, kind of just like Colorado and Washington went ahead with legalized marijuana.”

The Senator went on to suggest that he would be the first to back the Giants covering the spread against the Lions on 8 September at the Monmouth Park Racetrack.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992

Under The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, widely known as the ‘Bradley Act’, sports betting is banned across the United States, excluding Oregon, Delaware, Montana and Nevada.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed legislation allowing sports betting in New Jersey in January 2012 following a sports betting referendum, but four high-profile USA sports leagues filed suit against the Garden State and won the appeal to ban sports betting within the state.

Senator Ray Lesniak has spent last several years trying to legalize sports betting within the state as he believes that regulation will not only help New Jersey increase the tax revenue, but also stop the money going to organized crime and offshore betting syndicates.

The latest reports suggest that he is likely to succeed in his quest as the state residents are supportive of his initiative, as witnessed by the results of the 2011 sports betting referendum.

Lesniak also wants to see land-based casinos outside the Atlantic County and expects a referendum on the issue to be held in November.