Supreme Court Ruling on NJ Sports Betting Could Affect National Online Gambling

It’s been 4 years since New Jersey legalized online casinos and online poker rooms within state borders, and since then the state has also been trying to get approval for legal sports betting, to no avail.

That may change, however, as the U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for New Jersey’s case on December 4, 2017.  

What's the Problem to Offer Sports Betting in New Jersey?

The reason why New Jersey has not been allowed to offer sports betting revolves around a 1992 law that prohibits state-authorized sports betting in all states, except 4: Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. These states met a deadline in 1991 and are thus are exempt from the law.

New Jersey has been fighting this law for 4 years, saying it is unconstitutional for some states to be allowed to offer sports betting and not others. If the court rules in New Jersey’s favor, it follows that other states will be allowed to do the same and start offering their own legal sports betting.

What Does This Mean for Online Gambling in the U.S.?

A chorus of gambling experts and regulators think that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of legalizing sports betting in New Jersey, the results will be an increase in online betting around the U.S.

David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, said, “If we win sports wagering, online gaming will go to every state that adopts sports betting. As soon as sports wagering is legalized, online gambling will follow right behind it."

While increased online gambling across the U.S. is certainly something to look forward to, nothing will be happening overnight. While the hearing will be taking place shortly, an actual ruling could take weeks or even months. New Jersey, and the rest of the states, will have to sit tight until then.