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 nearly three years ago: sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license, or authorize gambling on amateur and professional sports at state-licensed casinos and horse racetracks. Because this effort is no more lawful than New Jersey’s past ones, it, too, should be enjoined.”
An injunction will be granted if the leagues demonstrate immediate and irreparable harm from wagers placed at Monmouth Park. However, Governor Christie is confident that a court will not find sports betting to cause irreparable harm, especially considering that betting occurs every day in Nevada.
State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, a sponsor of the bill signed by Governor Christie, believes that the leagues aren’t necessarily against sports betting; they just want to control it. “They want a monopoly — they want to have their gambling through fantasy sports.” The leagues’ complaint contends that Governor Christie’s support for sports betting violates New Jersey’s constitution requiring any gambling to be specifically authorized by the legislature.
Lawmakers are hopeful that New Jersey’s sports betting will revive the state’s gaming industry, especially in the wake of a third Atlantic City casino closing its doors this year.