NJ sports betting law argued in federal court
NJ, federal government spar in court over state's plans to allow legal sports betting
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Attorneys for New Jersey have said in federal court a 1992 law banning legal betting in all but four other states is discriminatory and tramples on the authority of state legislatures.
The federal government says Congress is allowed to treat states differently.
The NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA and Major League Baseball sued last year after Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed a sports wagering law and announced his intentions of awarding gambling licenses. The law would allow sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and state horse racing tracks.
New Jersey has said about $380 billion a year is wagered illegally on sporting events but that hasn't damaged the integrity of the major sports leagues, as the leagues have claimed.
A judge said Thursday he'll rule in the next few weeks.
