TRENTON -- State Senate President Steven Sweeney (D-Gloucester) can join legal action over a federal ban on sports betting in New Jersey after lawmakers today approved a measure allowing him to participate.
Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union), who sponsored the resolution, filed a suit last March challenging the 18-year-old federal ban, which limits sports betting to Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana.
He also has asked Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver to join the lawsuit.
During a floor debate today, Lesniak said he would rather take on the court challenge himself than ask the state’s attorney general to do it.
“I can handle it. I don’t mind fighting for New Jersey and the rights of our residents,” he said.
Advocates say sports betting would increase state revenue and bring additional tourism to Atlantic City.
Gov. Chris Christie has supported sports betting but last week said he is waiting for a report about the state’s sports, entertainment and gaming scene before taking a stand.
Here's what's at stake for New Jersey: $650 million a year in gross sports wagering revenues, as estimated by LVSC, a division of Cantor Fitzgerald. Plus $60 million a year in state revenues.
"That's $650 million a year of gross profits for our casinos and racetracks, creating and keeping thousands of jobs and attracting tourism to Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County. "What's at stake if the Senate doesn't join the lawsuit as a plaintiff is my ability to raise what some legal scholars believe to be the strongest argument against PASPA: the Tenth Amendment's States' Rights. Only a State has standing to raise this claim.
That's why Governor Corzine filed a motion to intervene as a plaintiff. I have asked Governor Christie to substitute for Governor Corzine, but have not yet received a reply. The Court has given Governor Christie until March 12th to file his substitution.
"If you went to Atlantic City on Super Bowl Sunday, you would have seen a ghost town, while Las Vegas hotels were at 100% capacity. The same will hold true for March Madness and the Final Four. What's overlooked in this debate is the tourism attraction from soccer games. You won't be able to get a room in Atlantic City when Real Madrid plays Manchester United, and the World Cup will eclipse even March Madness as a tourist attraction.
Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Union), who sponsored the resolution, filed a suit last March challenging the 18-year-old federal ban, which limits sports betting to Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana.
He also has asked Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver to join the lawsuit.
During a floor debate today, Lesniak said he would rather take on the court challenge himself than ask the state’s attorney general to do it.
“I can handle it. I don’t mind fighting for New Jersey and the rights of our residents,” he said.
Advocates say sports betting would increase state revenue and bring additional tourism to Atlantic City.
Gov. Chris Christie has supported sports betting but last week said he is waiting for a report about the state’s sports, entertainment and gaming scene before taking a stand.
Here's what's at stake for New Jersey: $650 million a year in gross sports wagering revenues, as estimated by LVSC, a division of Cantor Fitzgerald. Plus $60 million a year in state revenues.
"That's $650 million a year of gross profits for our casinos and racetracks, creating and keeping thousands of jobs and attracting tourism to Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County. "What's at stake if the Senate doesn't join the lawsuit as a plaintiff is my ability to raise what some legal scholars believe to be the strongest argument against PASPA: the Tenth Amendment's States' Rights. Only a State has standing to raise this claim.
That's why Governor Corzine filed a motion to intervene as a plaintiff. I have asked Governor Christie to substitute for Governor Corzine, but have not yet received a reply. The Court has given Governor Christie until March 12th to file his substitution.
"If you went to Atlantic City on Super Bowl Sunday, you would have seen a ghost town, while Las Vegas hotels were at 100% capacity. The same will hold true for March Madness and the Final Four. What's overlooked in this debate is the tourism attraction from soccer games. You won't be able to get a room in Atlantic City when Real Madrid plays Manchester United, and the World Cup will eclipse even March Madness as a tourist attraction.
