A group in New Jersey, US, is seeking to overturn a ban on sports betting in an attempt to boost revenues in the state.
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, the Thoroughbred Breeders Association of New Jersey and the Standardbred Breed and Owners Association of New Jersey in the US District Court stating that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 is unconstitutional.
Leading the challenge to the law, Senator Raymond J Lesniak, told reporters that the current law, which only allows sports betting in some form in Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon, deprives New Jersey of more than $100m in annual revenue. It also deprives the state’s casinos, racetracks and internet operators of $500m in gross income, he asserted.
"Our casinos are suffering, our racetracks are dying and our state budget needs revenues," Lesniak commented. "Today we take the first step to undoing the injustice of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, healing our casinos, saving the life of our racetracks, adding revenues to our state budget and preserving and creating thousands of jobs."
