Judge blocks New Jersey sports betting
Monmouth Park plots fantasy sports launch but will "continue efforts" to bring sports betting to the state
A federal judge has blocked New Jersey from allowing its casinos and racetracks to operate sportsbooks without fear of prosecution, following a showdown between the state and the major sports leagues last week.
Judge Michael Shipp ruled in favour of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and other leagues including the NFL, NBA and the MLB, granting a temporary restraining order blocking the state’s plans to offer sports betting last month.
New Jersey said there was nothing in the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) that prevented it from repealing the ban so long as sports betting was not regulated.
But Judge Shipp said allowing specific properties and businesses to operate sportsbooks violated PASPA, which prohibits sports betting in all but five US states, by amounting to regulation.
The outcome was widely expected, with Shipp having ruled in favour of the sports leagues on a number of occasions in the past. The state is now expected to appeal the decision in the higher third circuit court of appeals in Philadelphia.
“Obviously, I am disappointed by the court’s decision,” state senate president Stephen Sweeney, said. “We continue to believe that New Jersey has the right to allow sports betting.”
“We are going to continuing pursuing every legal option available. The economic impact sports wagering can have on New Jersey is far too important.”
“Sports betting can provide a boost to the casinos, the state’s racetracks and New Jersey’s economy for years to come,” he added.
Monmouth Park, which planned to be the first to launch its William Hill US-powered sportsbook in the state, said it was now looking into plans to launch a fantasy sports offering, but would “continue efforts” to bring sports betting to the state.
“We are having our legal team evaluate yesterday’s ruling to determine the appropriate course of action consistent with the court’s ruling and with what the leagues and others are currently doing,” Dennis Drazin, advisor to Darby Development, operators of Monmouth Park, said.
“On its face, the court’s ruling does not restrain Monmouth Park from partaking in this type of activity. Furthermore, we intend to continue our efforts to bring sports betting to our facility,” he added.