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The Corzine administration Thursday submitted a motion to intervene in support of a lawsuit filed by state Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union) in March that seeks to have a federal law banning sports betting in New Jersey and 45 other states declared unconstitutional.
"Today's filing sends a clear message that we will not sit back and allow the selective prohibitions of this law to deprive New Jersey from the economic benefits sports betting can generate," said Gov. Jon Corzine. "We must do everything in our power to ensure both the casino and horse racing industries in New Jersey remain competitive, especially during the national economic recession."
In the motion, Corzine's counsels argue that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act economically disadvantages New Jerseyans, while allowing select states, including Delaware, to collect revenues from regulated sports betting.
The also argue the law precludes the governor, from proposing, as a revenue option, a form of regulated gambling freely allowed in other states and prevents voters and elected officials from determining which gambling activities should be authorized.
The counsels maintain the law limits the governor's, and New Jersey's ability to regulate sports betting activities while other states are free to do so; and subjects the state and its citizens to civil action should they attempt to undertake sports betting activities allowed in other states.
Since 1992, federal law has outlawed wagering on sports except in Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Delaware.
Delaware recently took advantage of its exemption to legalize sports betting and table games at its three horse racing facilities.
If the federal law is declared unconstitutional, New Jersey could move to authorize sports betting. The Legislature has passed measures indicating support for sports betting in New Jersey.
Joining Lesniak and the administration in the lawsuit are the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association and three horse racing groups.
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
