Update: Intrastate Sports Betting Keeps Triggering Dispute in New Jersey

The dispute over New Jersey's decision to introduce intrastate sports betting is continuing this week, with the National Collegiate Athletic Association's announcement that it is pulling six 2013 championships from the state, and the subsequent reaction of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who through his spokesperson assessed this move as “ludicrous and hypocritical”. It was stated by Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Gov. Christie: “The NCAA wants to penalise New Jersey for legalising what occurs illegally every day in every state and often with the participation of organised crime. But the NCAA looks the other way for that? Ludicrous and hypocritical.” In addition to this, one of New Jersey school officials, a Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti commented on the NCAA move saying: "As a resident of the state, I know there's a bigger picture here and I also know we have a governor who is doing everything he possibly can to deal with the fiscal situation, which I of all people can certainly appreciate. “There's going to be some fallout on every front with stuff like this. It's going to affect everybody to some extent, including us. We're a little disappointed for our divers who were looking forward to competing here but I certainly understand the big picture and I think we all need to deal with it in the most productive way possible." However, even though it also opposes New Jersey's legalisation attempt, the NFL is not considering moving the 2014 Super Bowl that is to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., said the league spokesman Greg Aiello, adding that this will not happen even if sports betting is allowed at the Meadowlands Racetrack, which shares a parking lot with MetLife Stadium. “We are continuing our Super Bowl planning and do not anticipate this having any impact,” Aiello reassured interested parties. The whole debate has turned many heads and raised many eyebrows. And it is not approved my many – as one observer of the situation said, "Fighting the legalisation of something that is already so prevalent, and has always been so prevalent – let alone something that funds crime organisations rather than state budgets – is a testament to either entrenched ignorance or special interests."