New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie yesterday “signed into law a bill allowing state residents to bet on professional and college sports at the state’s racetracks and casinos -- even though a federal law prohibits New Jersey and 45 other states from offering any such gambling,” according to John Brennan of the Bergen RECORD. Super Bowl XLVIII will be held at MetLife Stadium in ’14, and despite NFL execs who "oppose gambling on NFL games," state officials said that they "aren’t worried that legalization will cause the league to move Super Bowl to another site." State Sen. Ray Lesniak, who sponsored the sports betting bill, said, “I dare the NFL to even think about taking away the Super Bowl from New Jersey. It would be foolhardy to do it.” NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy “did not directly address a question about whether the league would consider moving the game if sports betting was legalized in the state” (Bergen RECORD, 1/18). In New Jersey, Donald Wittkowski wrote supporters of the bill “believe sports betting will help pull Atlantic City’s 11 casinos out of a five-year slump by giving tourists another reason to visit the gambling resort.” State Assemblyman Ralph Caputo said, “New Jersey voters made it clear they want sports betting, and this law will handle it in a responsible and professional manner.” Although sports betting “would be allowed on professional and college games, there would be some restrictions.” Bets “could not be placed on New Jersey’s collegiate teams” (PRESSOFATLANTICCITY.com, 1/17).
