Will it be a slam dunk for the US sports betting ban?


4 December 2017


By Natalie Sherman


Business press reporter, New york city


A restriction on sports betting wagering in many 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 largely forbade sports betting gaming, 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 wagering.


A group of sports betting leagues opposes banking on video games, which they fear will encourage match-fixing.


Lower courts have consistently ruled against New Jersey, stating it is within the federal government's power to limit a state's policy choices.


The Supreme Court opted to hear the case nevertheless amid a broader shift in American attitudes toward gaming.


Before 1976, Nevada - home of the Las Vegas strip - was the only state with legal gambling establishments outside Native American lands.


But over the last few years, states starving for tax earnings in the wake of the financial crash have actually enacted a rash of looser sports betting laws, collecting large levies on gaming revenue.


There are now 24 states with business gambling establishments - approximately double the number a years back.


Despite the official ban, which already exempts Nevada and three other states, prohibited sports betting wagering is rife in the US.


Americans place about $154bn in unlawful sports betting bets every year, according to the American Gaming Association.


The association's president, Geoff Freeman, described the federal ban, external as an "utter failure" previously this year.


It says the UK is an example of a country where sports betting is prevalent.


"It's time for Washington to stop depriving states of important tax earnings and permit them to gain the rewards of a regulated market," Mr Freeman said.


More than 15 states submitted documents in assistance of New Jersey in the case. A handful have already passed laws to authorise sports betting in the occasion of a modification.


'Times have actually changed'


On Monday, as legal representatives began arguments for the Supreme Court, some more conservative judges appeared sceptical of the existing law.


The court is anticipated to decide in June 2018.


"If we achieve success here we might have bets being taken in New Jersey within two weeks of a choice by the court," said outbound New Jersey governor Chris Christie after participating in the court hearing. "We're prepared in New Jersey - we're all set to go."


No matter the court's last ruling, Congress may likewise use up the dispute in the middle of more comprehensive conversation about online video gaming and e-sports betting.


Even some of the expert sports betting leagues have actually started to alter their positions on the concern of sports betting.


Adam Silver, National Basketball Association commissioner, supported a federal law that would develop an uniform set of rules throughout the US. "Times have actually altered," he composed in a 2014 opinion piece, external.


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