Will it be a slam dunk for the US sports betting restriction?
By Natalie Sherman
Business press reporter, New york city
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A restriction on sports betting in the majority of US states could be overturned by a case being considered by the Supreme Court.
The state of New Jersey is challenging the 1992 federal law that mostly forbade sports betting, explaining the matter as a "states' rights" issue.
The case, which started on Monday, follows New Jersey homeowners voted in 2011 to legalise sports betting.
A group of sports betting leagues opposes banking on video games, which they fear will motivate match-fixing.
Lower courts have regularly ruled versus New Jersey, stating it is within the federal government's power to restrict a state's policy choices.
The Supreme Court opted to hear the case nevertheless amid a wider shift in American attitudes towards gaming.
Before 1976, Nevada - home of the Las Vegas strip - was the only state with legal casinos outside Native American lands.
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But recently, states hungry for tax earnings in the wake of the financial crash have enacted a rash of looser gaming laws, collecting substantial levies on sports betting profits.
There are now 24 states with industrial casinos - approximately double the number a years ago.
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Despite the main ban, which already excuses Nevada and three other states, prohibited sports betting wagering is rife in the US.
Americans place about $154bn in illegal sports betting bets every year, according to the American Gaming Association.
The president, Geoff Freeman, explained the federal restriction, external as an "utter failure" earlier this year.
It says the UK is an example of a nation where sports betting is prevalent.
"It's time for Washington to stop denying states of important tax income and allow them to reap the rewards of a regulated market," Mr Freeman said.
More than 15 states submitted documents in support of New Jersey in the case. A handful have actually currently passed laws to authorise sports betting in case of a change.
'Times have actually altered'
On Monday, as lawyers started arguments for the Supreme Court, some more conservative judges appeared sceptical of the existing law.
The court is anticipated to decide in June 2018.
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"If we are successful here we might have bets being taken in New Jersey within 2 weeks of a choice by the court," said outgoing New Jersey guv Chris Christie after attending the court hearing. "We're prepared in New Jersey - we're ready to go."
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Despite the court's final judgment, Congress may also take up the dispute amidst wider discussion about online gaming and e-sports betting.
Even some of the professional sports betting leagues have actually begun to alter their positions on the concern of sports betting.
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Adam Silver, National Basketball Association commissioner, supported a federal law that would produce an uniform set of rules across the US. "Times have altered," he composed in a 2014 opinion piece, external.
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Will it be a Slam Dunk for the United States Sports Betting Ban?
elidawsp677952 edited this page 2025-01-02 07:38:17 +00:00