IMEGA unfazed by Department of Justice action on New Jersey betting

The online gambling-pro action group IMEGA has issued a statement commenting on yesterday’s news that the US Department of Justice has decided to throw in its lot with the national sports leagues fighting New Jersey’s law legalising intrastate sports betting.

The group’s chief, Joe Brennan, opines in the statement that the involvement of the US government may be disappointing, but it is unlikely to have significant impact.

“While the decision by the US Department of Justice is disappointing, it has little bearing on the heart of the matter – that this law preventing New Jersey from regulating sports betting is unconstitutional,” the statement notes, adding that while the DoJ’s involvement is interesting, it will not make a difference.

“New Jersey only wants to do what Nevada and Delaware are free to do – regulate and tax sports betting – to save Atlantic City’s casinos and the state’s race tracks,” Brennan claims.

“It is confusing why the Obama administration would oppose a law approved in New Jersey by a 2-to-1 margin in a reliable ‘blue state’, Brennan asserts.

“And though it’s not likely that US Attorney-General Eric Holder made this decision based on his recent work as counsel and crisis manager for the NFL, it is legitimate to ask why the DoJ would side with billionaire team owners over the voters of New Jersey.”

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