American Gaming Association to fight for legalised sports betting

The American Gaming Association has commented on yesterday’s decision by the US 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which probably ended New Jersey’s ambitions to by-pass the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act by legalising intrastate sports betting (see previous report), commenting that it is Washington’s responsibility to fix a clearly failed law.

In a statement Tuesday Geoff Freeman, chief executive of the AGA, commented:

“Washington has a responsibility to fix a failed law that it created nearly 25 years ago. A federal government prohibition has driven an illegal, and occasionally dangerous, sports betting market of at least $150 billion annually.

“Law enforcement, mayors, leaders in sports, fans and many others agree that it’s time for a regulated sports betting marketplace that protects consumers, communities and the integrity of sports we enjoy.”

The AGA has increasingly advocated wider sports betting legalisation in recent months, with Freeman building a broad coalition of stakeholders who have a common interest in the goal of what Freeman describes as “a practical, modern day solution.”

In an industry address in Mississippi last week Freeman discussed the AGA campaign, suggesting that the most practical way forward was for Congress to repeal the federal PASPA law and give individual states the opportunity to treat sports betting at their discretion, taking the issue away from national politics.

Meanwhile, New Jersey is left pondering whether it is worthwhile spending more money on taking the appeal to the Supreme Court.

That decision will have to consider the en banc nature of the latest appeal court to reject its argument; the dwindling chances of a win at the ultimate legal level; and the fact that the Supreme Court has in the past already declined to hear the issue (see previous reports).

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