Federal Appeals Court Again Upholds Ban On New Jersey Betting

The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals today again upheld a federal ban on New Jersey's bid to allow sports betting at racetracks and Atlantic City casinos, though the decision "included one dissent among the three judges." The state is "expected to appeal the ruling to the entire Third Circuit judiciary, but it failed in such an attempt previously even with the earlier 2-1 split verdict." Monmouth Park "had been poised to offer NFL sports betting this season" if the ban were struck down "and if the leagues were unsuccessful in obtaining an injunction to delay such gambling" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 8/25).

The decision is a "blow to Monmouth Park, which has been looking at sports wagering as a much-needed alternative revenue stream in their battle to compete with race tracks in neighboring states flush with purse money from casino gambling" (APP.com, 8/25).