On Thursday the state governor, Chris Christie, made a statement proclaiming that the people of New Jersey will be allowed to bet on sports as of September.
"We intend to go forward," the Republican governor said. "If someone wants to stop us, then let them try to stop us. We want to work with the casinos and horse racing industry to get it implemented.
"Am I expecting there may be legal action taken against us to try to prevent it? Yes," the governor said. "But I have every confidence we're going to be successful."
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act permits sports betting in four states: Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana.
Christie signed a sports betting law passed by the state legislature this year. According to this new legislature, wagers may be accepted at Atlantic City casinos as well as the four horse racing tracks in the state.
"I love the idea of playing offense and having the federal government have to play defense against us," Tony Rodio, president of Tropicana Entertainment, told local reporters. "But I don't know who's going to want to be the first to open knowing they can shut you down. We'd need a lot more clarity before we invested lots of money in a sports book."
Those opposed to the new legislation claim that legalized sports betting breeds untaxed revenue to unlicensed offshore online operators or to illegal bookmakers.
Half of the profits from sports betting will be invested in treatment programs for problem gamblers said Christie.
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
