New Jersey’s Battle to Legalise Sports Betting Continues

The state of New Jersey has received backing from the American Gaming Association (AGA) as they hope to take their sports betting appeal to the US Supreme Court.

New Jersey’s plan to allow sports betting in Atlantic Casino establishments and racetracks has hit numerous setbacks so far, and the Supreme Court appeal is their final chance for success.

The state is determined to overturn the federal ban on sports betting under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), with the American Gaming Association clearly looking to help the cause.

AGA pointed out that PASPA denies the states “sovereignty to define their own laws”, while also outlining the fact that the number of US citizens who enjoy sports betting has grown considerably in recent years.

Will Donald Trump make the difference?

Even though the chances of the Supreme Court accepting the appeal are slim to none, that does not mean that the ship has sailed with regards to sports betting in New Jersey.

Namely, new United States president Donald Trump is clearly for legalisation of all forms of gambling in the US, having previously owned several casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Trump had already attempted to persuade the state of New Jersey to allow sports betting in the past, but his efforts did not produce results.

In case the Supreme Court rejects the appeal, the US president could choose an Attorney General who would not enforce PASPA, leaving it for individual states to decide on whether to allow sports betting.

New Jersey has also received backing from five US states a couple of days ago as Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Arizona filed an amicus petition with the US Supreme Court.

The amici states believe the Third Circuit should not have upheld PASPA and also found few other issues with its ruling on the case.