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New Jersey Legislator Pushes Sport Betting Bill

TRENTON, New Jersey – As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "If he were an oddsmaker, Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, would place 3-2 odds against bringing sports betting to New Jersey.

"But as a legislator, Van Drew says a 40 percent chance to bring millions of dollars to the casino industry in Atlantic City is worth pursuing. He has introduced a bill that would ask voters to approve sports betting on next November's ballot.

"Van Drew, who serves as chairman of the Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee, said he expects the sports betting bill to get its first hearing in December. It would be the start of a very long road that would eventually require a challenge to federal law, which limits sports betting to four states.

"…Federal law limits sports betting to four states: Nevada, Oregon, Delaware and Montana. Only Nevada and Oregon actually offer sports betting. The New Jersey nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services has said the federal law limiting sports betting is valid and would likely withstand a constitutional challenge.

"However, Van Drew said precedent leads him to believe the federal law overstepped its bounds and could be challenged. A Supreme Court that has grown more conservative, and more concerned with state rights, also offers greater hope to have the sports betting law overturned, he said…"

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