New Jersey Tries Another Tack To Gain Sports Betting
By David Madden
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- The New Jersey Assembly is scheduled to vote tomorrow on a measure that could pave the way for sports betting in the Garden State.
The state senate overwhelmingly approved it yesterday.
They've been down this road before, and the state has seen a federal court put a block on it at the behest of professional and collegiate sports leagues, citing a national prohibition in all but four states.
This time, New Jersey lawmakers see a loophole, planning to partially repeal the state ban and allow casinos and racetracks to proceed without regulation.
Assembly majority leader Lou Greenwald of Cherry Hill says sports betting already going on around the state.
"In many respects it's going off the books, undercover, and the state is receiving none of the benefit," he tells KYW Newsradio.
Assuming the bill passes and Governor Christie signs it, the measure must still get by the same federal judge who has sided with the leagues so far.