NJ Sports Betting

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/8723991/pro-leagues-ncaa-file-brief-new-jersey-betting-law

Long and rambling post warning:

As you can see from the link above...the self serving egomaniacs at the NFL, MLB, and the NBA, are all up in arms that NJ is trying to legalize sports betting at it's casinos and race tracks. I find it amusing that the mighty NFL(and the other sports to a lesser extent), are so threatened by legalized gambling. Given the many options already available to anyone who wants to put down a few bucks, how could legalizing sports wagering in NJ possibly affect the leagues in a negative way?

Before someone links to the 1919 Chicago "black sox" scandal or the many college point shaving schemes over the years. Let me point out these all occurred in an environment of non-legalized sports gaming. If anything, having sports betting out in the open should minimize those risks. Pro athletes get paid way too much to risk their careers on a betting scandal. College sports is more complicated, I'll grant you. Maybe some oversight is needed there. Does anyone in vegas monitor the handle on college games? For Example: if a million bucks comes in on an obscure college basketball game do they take the line down?...I think that happens sometimes but others here could speak to that better I'm sure.

The issue of the existing federal regulation that outlaws sports wagering (essentially everywhere but Nevada, is my understanding) is interesting too. How could a law withstand a legal challenge by another state as Christie in NJ is doing? Why is this the federal governments business? Perhaps someone with a better understanding of federal regulation could enlighten me on this.

Quote: vendman1

As you can see from the link above...the self serving egomaniacs at the NFL, MLB, and the NBA, are all up in arms that NJ is trying to legalize sports betting at it's casinos and race tracks. I find it amusing that the mighty NFL(and the other sports to a lesser extent), are so threatened by legalized gambling. Given the many options already available to anyone who wants to put down a few bucks, how could legalizing sports wagering in NJ possibly affect the leagues in a negative way?

The NFL makes me sick in this regard. They will hype the Fantasy Football thing all day long, but God-Forbid someone cares about a point spread.

I do not understand how the Federal Law passes Constitutional muster, treating states differently as it does. You can make the argument that it is interstate commerce, but to allow it in all but 4 states? The Supremes need to knock that down.

There is no chance this law will hold up if challenged. Nj will get sports wagering, it might take longer than we think, but they'll get it.

If this thing actually makes it all the way to the Supremes I'll be thoroughly disappointed in our justice system, it should get shot down (and for good) long before that. I can't wait until I can sit back in AC, throw a few hundred on a game and enjoy.

It will make it to the Supreme Court after as many delay as the NFL lawyers can come up with.

It is legal in 4 states. Nevada, oregon, and two others I cant remember the other two, but I'm pretty sure Delaware is one, and maybe Minnesaota. These 4 have an exemption to the federal law.

Does anyone know the origin of the federal law? Why Nevada, Oregon, Del and Min? Were they grandfathered in or something?...I can't stomach wading through the google search results, I'm sure someone on here knows.

I agree with everyone else that this law stands little or no chance of surviving a challenge by another state (in this case NJ). So assuming that NJ successfully pulls this off sooner or later, does that open the door for every other state to follow suit? I would assume so. Why leave that money on the table.

Those same leagues are trying to stop a bill in Ontario to legalize sports betting on single games also

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2012/10/30/sp-sports-all-sports-betting-canada.html