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TagsWould enable sports wagering at casinos, racetracks
A constitutional amendment that would ask voters approve legalize sports betting in New Jersey was approved Monday by the Senate Economic Growth Committee by a vote of 6 to 1.
Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), the committee's chairman and sponsor of the measure, said, "SCR-132 will amend the constitution of the state of New Jersey, if approved by the voters, to authorize the legislature to enact laws allowing sports betting at Atlantic City's casinos and current and former horserace tracks. Betting on out-of-state amateur games involving any New Jersey teams, or on any amateur games played in the state will not be allowed.
Lesniak has filed a lawsuit in federal district court to overturn the ban on sports betting which he argues gives an unfair and unconstitutional advantage to Nevada and Delaware at the expense of New Jersey and other states. He said constitutional law authorities at George Washington, Vanderbilt, and Willamette universities and Whittier Law Schools agree that the federal law violates the 5th, 10th and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution and its commerce clause. He added that the U.S. Justice Department, in a letter to then-chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Joseph Biden (D-De.) questioned its constitutional validity.
Lesniak said, "The benefits to New Jersey from sports betting can best be summed up by the following statements:
"Dover Downs Hotel and Casino CEO Ed Sutor, ‘The first couple of weeks we saw a 100-percent improvement in revenues. We're happy with sports betting and hope it continues.'
"My friend, Ed Palmeri, ‘At Delaware Park Sports Book on way to Eagles game. Oh boy- New Jersey missing out. You gotta get it in New Jersey. Packed house 10 a.m. Sunday.'
"A report by Club Cal Neva, a Nevada based gaming company with 48 years experience in gaming that operates 30 sports books throughout Nevada projected that New Jersey would gain $220 million per year in revenues from sports betting. That's worth the fight."
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
