NJ Sports Betting Awaits Judge Decision

Lawyers for New Jersey and the major US sports leagues argued in an hour-long hearing Tuesday for and against NJ offering sports betting. The Garden State has just passed the necessary legislation for intrastate sports betting which triggered litigation from the leagues and a series of arguments questioning the sports leagues' legal standing to contest the decision. New Jersey's Legislature enacted a sports betting law in January this year, limiting bets to Atlantic City casinos and the state's horse racing tracks but the leagues argue that sports betting threatens the integrity of sports. However, legal arguments have included the fact that the leagues have prospered from legalised sports betting in four states, actively aligned themselves with fantasy sports betting and even, though indirectly, from illegal online sports wagering. At the conclusion of the hearing U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp said he will issue a ruling by Friday as to whether the leagues have standing to continue the lawsuit.