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Delaware sports betting debate continues in courts

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- As reported by USA Today: "Former Rep. John Bryant of Texas helped write the federal ban on sports betting nearly two decades ago, a bill he didn't think allowed for much leeway.

"'We tried to keep it as narrow as possible,' said Bryant, now a lawyer in Dallas. 'It wasn't narrow as far as Nevada was concerned, but it was for the other states. At the time, Delaware wasn't looking to become another Las Vegas.'

"It will be up to a federal appeals court to interpret whether Delaware can move further in that direction nearly 18 years after the bill Bryant co-sponsored became law. Judges Theodore McKee, Julio M. Fuentes and Thomas Hardiman of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals are scheduled to field arguments this morning in Philadelphia during an expedited hearing, as the four major sports leagues and the NCAA try to block Delaware from commencing with sports betting Sept. 1.

"The leagues are seeking an injunction — which was denied earlier this month by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory M. Sleet — that would remain in place until trial, set to begin in December. The three-judge panel will allot each side 30 minutes to make its presentation, then will confer and issue a ruling before Delaware's proposed launch.

"At the heart of the argument is the interpretation of the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Attorneys for Delaware and the leagues have made several filings in recent days, citing case law along with quotes from the floor of Congress made by Bryant, Vice President Biden (then a Delaware senator) and others to buttress their takes on PASPA..."

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