No Property Tax on Government-Owned Stadiums in New Jersey

As of November 21, 2016, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has amended New Jersey tax law to clarify that government-owned stadiums and arenas are exempt from property taxation.

The signing of this bill quells uncertainty following a decision by a New Jersey tax court which denied a non-profit hospital its tax benefits last year. The court’s decision was focused in part on the hospital’s mix of non-profit and for-profit activity. Up until this point, it was not clear whether the decision would bring forth similar …

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Christie and the Horsemen Ask the Third Circuit to Vacate Injunction & Open the Door to Sports Betting in NJ

On Wednesday, January 14, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie filed a brief with the Third Circuit US Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn the district court decision enjoining recent legislation that would open the door to some sports gambling in New Jersey.

The 2014 law in question was passed to effectuate a partial repeal of prior New Jersey law that prohibits betting on sports within the state.  The partial repeal would allow casinos and racetracks within the State of New Jersey to facilitate sports betting.  …

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Ethics Complaint Filed Against NJ Gov. Christie over Gifts from Cowboys

American Democracy Legal Fund known for its ties to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton filed a complaint against New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with the State Ethics Commission.  Closely associated with American Bridge that conducts opposition research on Republicans, the group urged the commission to investigate if Christie, a Republican, violated ethics rules by accepting gifts from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

The group argued that Christie’s accepting from Cowboys a private jet ride and box tickets to NFL games is a violation of …

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Sports Leagues and NCAA Challenge Christie’s Sports Bill

Four major professional sports leagues and the NCAA (collectively the “leagues”) responded to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s partial repeal of New Jersey’s ban on sports betting. The leagues filed a federal lawsuit on Monday seeking a temporary injunction on sports betting in New Jersey. The state’s first sports bet is scheduled for Sunday at Monmouth Park racetrack, where ten tellers will be taking bets on the NFL.

The leagues argue that Governor Christie’s sports betting bill accomplishes

“what it unsuccessfully attempted to do

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Sports Betting in New Jersey Now in Gov. Christie’s Hands

On Thursday, October 16, the New Jersey State Assembly passed along a bill seeking to repeal the State’s prohibitions on sports betting.  The bill currently awaits signature or veto by Governor Chris Christie.

Sports betting has been a legislative concern since a majority of voters approved a betting referendum back in 2011.  Christie approved the subsequent law in 2012, which legalized sports betting within the state.  In response, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NCAA sued claiming the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act …

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Leagues Respond to New Jersey Sports Betting

On Monday, September 29, four major professional sports leagues and the NCAA (“Leagues”) challenged New Jersey’s latest attempt to offer legal sports gambling within the state. The Leagues filing is in response to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s directive to allow casinos and racetracks to offer sports wagering so long as it is not state-regulated.

The Leagues argue that Governor Christie’s directive conflicts with the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) which bans individual sports gambling in all but four states. Governor Christie …

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Odds May Be Better For New Jersey Sports Wagering

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, issued a directive that allows the state’s casinos and racetracks to offer sports betting. Governor Christie based his directive on a Third Circuit court ruling that said New Jersey is not necessarily prohibited from repealing its ban on sports wagering.

However, many believe that Governor Christie is exploiting a loophole in a federal law. The law bans states from setting up regulatory schemes for sports betting, but allows the state to deregulate gambling, rather than regulate it. Governor Christie …

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