Sports betting to be authorized in New Jersey

Sports betting is now permitted in the US state of the Garden State as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said last Monday that casinos and racetracks could now offer sports betting without fear of prosecution, providing that the bets are placed on events taking place outside of the state. Wagering on college athletics events involving a local team is also prohibited, no matter where the competition takes place.

The directive issued by attorney general John Hoffmann comes a few weeks after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed the SB 2250 bill, which sought to legalize sports betting in the state. John Hoffman stated that the Garden was not regulating, authorizing or licensing sports betting within the state but was informing casinos and racetracks that they would not be prosecuted, should they choose to offer sports betting to their customers. The news has been welcomed by operators such as William Hill, which recently entered into a partnership with New Jersey racetrack Monmouth Park to become its exclusive sports betting provider. “Obviously, this is a significant development. Like others, we recognize that legalized sports betting is inevitable, and will be a good outcome for customers, states and the sports leagues, William Hill CEO Joe Ashed said. « In light of our significant investment at Monmouth Park, we are happy that it appears racetracks and casinos in New Jersey will be taking sports bets sooner rather than later », he added.

New Jersey has asked the federal court to amend its injuction against the state preventing it from implementing the Sports Wageringg Act and to clarify the directive issued by Governor Chris Christie and John Hoffman. The court is scheduled to rule on the motion on October 6.

Source: iGamingBusiness & eGRMagazine