New Jersey sports betting deadline looms

New Jersey governor Chris Christie continues to keep everyone guessing on whether he will sign an intrastate sports betting law overwhelmingly approved by the state legislature some weeks back.

The contentious bill, crafted by Sen. Ray Lesniak after the US Supreme Court declined to hear the state’s case on earlier legislation and litigation (see previous reports) has been with the governor for signing into law, and the deadline for his signature is August 11 (Monday).

The new legislation exploits arguments used against the state by national sports leagues and the Department of Justice in earlier litigation, and seeks to circumvent the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (which restricts sports betting to just four US states) by simply not implementing its provisions.

Many interested parties are watching Christie’s next move closely, with some threatening to launch legal actions if New Jersey casinos and racetracks start taking sports bets in terms of the new bill.

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