Supreme Court ruling ends sports betting ban, New Jersey could be taking bets in 2 weeks

Earlier today, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 unconstitutional. Now, all 50 states will be able to legalize sports betting.

 

Attorney Daniel Wallach wrote an article about what happens next.

It is expected that Monmouth Park Racetrack, located in Oceanport, will be one of the first New Jersey gambling venues to offer sports betting, perhaps as soon as two weeks from now, according to Monmouth Park executive Dennis Drazin. Several years ago, Monmouth Park inked a deal with sports betting conglomerate William Hill US to operate a sports book at the historic New Jersey track. With Monmouth Park’s racing season already underway, there is a good chance that it will be taking sports bets during the current racing meet.

But New Jersey is not the only state that will benefit from today’s landmark Supreme Court decision. Three other states — Mississippi, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — recently passed laws that would allow sports betting contingent on the Supreme Court invalidating PASPA. With that outcome now having been achieved, those three states could be in a position to implement their sports gambling laws within the next 60 to 90 days.

Additionally, some 15 other states — including New York and Illinois — have introduced bills to legalize and regulate sports betting tied to the Supreme Court outcome. With a favorable Court decision, look for those states (and perhaps a few others, such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island) to quickly advance sports betting legislation so they can potentially be in a position to join New Jersey, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in allowing sports betting later this summer.


Sports leagues are expected to continue lobbying at the state level.

Since last June when the court agreed to hear the case, more than 20 states have taken up versions of bills aimed at taking advantage of a favorable ruling. Four states — New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and West Virginia — have passed bills that could see them begin taking bets in a short time.

The NBA and MLB have been on the ground in all of these states as they combine resources to lobby to get language that would assure them of a gambling revenue stream for years to come. They’ve hired high-priced lobbying firms, submitted written statements and sent executives to testify in statehouses.

All the pro sports leagues, including the PGA Tour and the NCAA, have been involved, but it has been the NBA and MLB that have been the tip of the spear. And first in the firing line for those pushing back and the desire for a cut of the new proceeds.


ESPN Chalk reporter David Purdum compiled reactions to the decision.


Expanded legal sports betting is expected to be a boon for sports leagues and media consumption.


There’s still more to be worked out — like if intrastate sports betting will be an option.

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