The U.S. Supreme Court today "made the long-running New Jersey sports betting saga one of the relatively rare cases that the court will hear," according to John Brennan of the Bergen RECORD. That decision "eventually could open the door to state racetracks and Atlantic City casinos being able to offer Las Vegas-style gambling on professional and amateur sports betting events." A victory in the case also "would have national implications, if New Jersey prevails, because it could enable any other state to pass legislation offering similar sports betting." Even if the court ruled that the Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) is "constitutional and New Jersey's amended sports betting law also does not run afoul of it, that would give states a blueprint for how to pass their own laws that would not be struck down." The NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA and NHL sued the state of New Jersey and Gov. Chris Christie in '12 after voters statewide "overwhelmingly passed a state law the previous November permitting Las Vegas-style sports betting at the state's racetracks and at its Atlantic City casinos." While New Jersey has "yet to prevail in the ensuing years, three Third Circuit panels -- by votes of 2-1, 2-1, and 9-3 -- each time have sided with the leagues" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 6/27). In Newark, Johnson & Salant note the justices, as is custom, "gave no reason for agreeing to hear the appeal." The case would be "argued during the court term that begins in October" (NJ.com, 6/27). ESPN.com's David Purdum writes today's decision was the "first setback" for the sports leagues "in the lengthy saga." New Jersey had "lost every step of the way, and it was considered unlikely that the high court would hear its case." U.S. Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall last month "submitted an opinion advising the Supreme Court to pass on the case." The Court "normally follows Department of Justice recommendations" (ESPN.com, 6/27).
