We reported on a story over the weekend that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had signed a bill into law which partially repealed the state’s ban on sports betting.
At that point, it was rather obvious that certain leagues would attempt to file for an injunction against the state of New Jersey in order to stop the law from being enacted.
According to ESPN, paperwork was filed in court on Monday in order to do just that.
…Paperwork filed in U.S. District Court on Monday, the leagues view the latest bill as “in clear and flagrant violation of federal law — to accomplish what it unsuccessfully attempted to do three years ago: sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license or authorize gambling on amateur and professional sports at state-licensed casinos and horse racetracks. Because this effort is no more lawful than New Jersey’s past ones, it, too, should be enjoined.”
The NFL, NCAA, MLB and NHL were also involved in the complaint.
This is a clear longshot by these leagues, especially considering the NFL unsuccessfully attempted to prevent Delaware from allowing bets on league games back in 1976. In reality, the federal courts have been consistent with this in the past. They view it as a state’s right issue unless the financial bottom line of the league itself is being impacted.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) is also something leagues might be able to use here. It outlawed sports betting across the United States with an exception of four states. New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniack filed a lawsuit in an attempt to repeal that act. This lawsuit is currently still in the hands of the federal courts. That’s one point the NFL, among others, can potentially argue.
With New Jersey in the midst of an economic downturn, this bill would be huge for the long-term health of the state’s economy. It’s also something that could act as a precursor for other states who have shown interest in legalized sports gambling.