New Jersey sports betting decision today

After hearing oral arguments for and against New Jersey’s currently suspended sports betting laws Thursday from the legal representatives of the state and for the national sports leagues, Judge Michael Shipp undertook to deliver his decision by today (Friday) on whether his injunction against the state should become permanent or fall away.

Observers point out that the summary judgment may have avoided a full trial, but no matter which party wins today, the other will take the issue on appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, and the litigation will continue into the new year.

Judge Shipp has a record of ruling against New Jersey in this matter, and the expectation is that he will again side with the sports leagues.

With public interest in the dispute running high, Seton University issued a new study on sports betting and the controversial Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a federal law which restricts sports betting to just four US states, with only Nevada among them enjoying full privileges.

The telephonic survey of 847 respondents across the United States carried out between the 16 and 17 November found that only 33 percent were happy with the current PASPA restrictions, whilst 55 percent favour a revision of the law to allow more widespread single-game sports betting in those states that desire it.

Sports betting is a popular form of entertainment, 72 percent of respondents confirmed, and 43 percent felt that athletes already “occasionally or often” influence the outcome of games due to gambling interests, with 47 percent believing that this extends to referees and umpires…a factor which poll director Rick Gentile suggests the national sports leagues need to note.

The demographic breakdown of the study shows that 44 percent of males support legalised sports betting, more than females (25 percent), and that the strongest support (47 percent) comes from the 18 to 29 year age bracket.

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