Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices today "indicated they may be willing to allow New Jersey to legalize sports betting in a case that could pave the way for other states to do the same thing," according to Lawrence Hurley of REUTERS. The nine justices on the conservative-majority court "heard an hour-long argument" in an appeal brought by outgoing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie that "aims to revive a state statute legalizing sports betting." Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy "expressed skepticism about the restrictions that the federal law places on states, but some of the court’s liberals appeared less sympathetic to the state’s arguments." The high court is "reviewing a federal appeals court ruling last year" that the '14 New Jersey statute permitting sports betting at casinos and racetracks violated a '92 federal law that "prohibits such gambling in all states except Nevada and, to a much more limited extent, Delaware, Montana and Oregon." New Jersey's sports gambling law was "challenged in court" by the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and NCAA. Hurley notes the case could have "national implications if the justices invalidate the federal law in question, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act." Industry analysts "predicted that upwards of 20 states would legalize sports betting if the federal law is voided." A ruling is due "by the end of June" (REUTERS, 12/4).
