Department Of Justice To Intervene In New Jersey Gambling Case

The U.S. Department of Justice "will intervene in the landmark sports betting lawsuit filed by the NCAA, NFL, et al against New Jersey's effort to mirror Nevada's gambling opportunities." Senior Trial Counsel Peter Phipps seeks an extension until Feb. 1 "to respond to challenges to the constitutionality of the law." The DOJ also "requests to participate in oral argument" on Feb. 14 in Trenton, where department officials likely will be "joining the pro sports leagues and NCAA attorneys on one side of the aisle" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 1/22).

In response to the DOJ defending the constitutionality of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, New Jersey Sen. Ray Lesniak said, "The federal government’s involvement does not change the constitutional argument of PASPA" (THELINEMAKERS.com, 1/22).