New Jersey sports betting back on the agenda
Hopes for regulated sports betting in US re-ignited with bill in New Jersey to be re-heard and positive movement in Pennsylvania
Europe’s major sportsbooks have been put on alert after a US federal appeals court ruled in favour of New Jersey’s request for a re-hearing of a sports betting bill opposed by the country’s major sports leagues.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals announced yesterday that the majority of active judges voted in favour of the re-hearing, overturning its 25 August ruling in favour of the leagues.
A date for the re-hearing has yet to be set and will be listed at the court’s convenience, but the decision once again opens the door for European sportsbook operators to make a play in the US market.
William Hill US chief exec Joe Asher said it was “no surprise” the court overturned its previous ruling, but that it was “great to see” nonetheless.
“I’ve always felt there are constitutional concerns about the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and today’s decision would appear to put all of the issues back on the table.
“I look forward to being back in Philadelphia [where the court is held] in the near future,” he added.
UK bookmaker Ladbrokes said it was also “keeping a close eye” on developments in New Jersey, having already invested in US mobile sports betting provider Stadium Technology.
A spokesperson for Ladbrokes said it was difficult to forecast the outcome of the rehearing, but said the firm believed the US would eventually “embrace some kind of regulated sports betting framework”.
“We have a keen interest in seeing sports betting regulated in the US, in part thanks to our investment in Stadium Tech and Ladbrokes Nevada licensing position,” the spokesperson said.
“As such, we broadly support initiatives that take us in that direction.”
News of the court’s decision came just hours before Pennsylvania lawmaker Rep. Nick Kotik tabled a bill seeking to legalise sports betting at the state’s land-based casinos, if PASPA is overturned.
“This introduction comes at an interesting time,” Kotik said in a statement.
“While our state budget remains in limbo, I would welcome further discussion on bridging a compromise plan with expanded forms of gaming.”
Sports betting is legal in just four US states under PASPA – Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon.
But a growing number of states are looking to get in on the action, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California, in a bid to boost state tax coffers.