New Jersey continues litigation with the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB and the NCAA. On Friday, a judge rejected the state's request to dismiss the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp agreed that the leagues could be harmed if the state pursues legal sports betting.
The judge referred to several studies which demonstrated fans' negative opinions regarding game-fixing and sports gambling.
"While most of these studies alone may not constitute a direct causal link between legalized gambling and negative issues of perception on the part of Plaintiffs' fans, sufficient support to draw this conclusion exists," Shipp wrote.
A recent nationwide poll revealed that more than half of Americans support legalization of sports betting in every state.
The leagues pursued their suit in August following Gov. Chris Christie's plan to challenge a federal ban on sports wagering. He signed off on legislation to restrict bets to the Atlantic City casinos and horse racing tracks.
New Jersey intends to legalize sports betting as early as January 2013 but they've said that they will give the leagues sufficient notice before the approval of any licenses.
The NCAA intends to move championship events from New Jersey in 2013 due to the state's urgency to push sports betting through.
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