Department of Justice throws its hat into the New Jersey sports betting ring

The state of New Jersey’s year-old law allowing sports betting and defying the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act faces a powerful new opponent this week as the US Department of Justice files its intention to join litigation launched by the national sports bodies opposing the New Jersey move.

In a filing Tuesday, federal attorneys asked U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp who is hearing the case to give them until the end of next week to respond to constitutional challenges made by the New Jersey.

Attorneys representing New Jersey have argued in court papers that PASPA’s provisions an early prohibiting sports gambling in all but four states is unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Judge Shipp is scheduled to hear verbal arguments on the issue on February 14.

Last month, Judge Shipp denied the state’s motion to throw out the lawsuit.