New Jersey fee on every sports bet to go to professional leagues
News on 20 Sep 2014
News on 20 Sep 2014
In a letter written by New Jersey State Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) and Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo (D-Atlantic) to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, a 0.25 percent fee on every bet placed and channeled to professional leagues such as the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB was proposed.
Proceeds would allow the leagues to employ independent measures in terms of preventing match fixing, a key argument from the professional leagues in its fight to prevent the introduction of sports betting in New Jersey (see previous reports).
“This could be a national model for sports betting. When sports wagering is eventually legalized nationwide, this surcharge would generate millions of dollars a year for the leagues,” the letter reportedly said. “The NBA and other sports leagues may use these dollars to hire independent investigators and monitors.”
