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

By Natalie Sherman

Business reporter, New york city

A ban on sports betting wagering in most US states might be reversed by a case being considered by the Supreme Court.

The state of New Jersey is challenging the 1992 federal law that mostly forbade sports betting gambling, explaining the matter as a "states' rights" problem.

The case, which began on Monday, follows New Jersey residents voted in 2011 to legalise sports betting.
bet9ja.com
A group of sports betting leagues opposes wagering on games, which they fear will motivate match-fixing.

Lower courts have regularly ruled versus New Jersey, stating it is within the power to restrict a state's policy options.

The Supreme Court opted to hear the case nonetheless in the middle of a larger shift in American mindsets towards gambling.

Before 1976, Nevada - home of the Las Vegas strip - was the only state with legal casinos outside Native American lands.
bit.ly
But recently, states starving for tax earnings in the wake of the financial crash have enacted a rash of looser gambling laws, gathering hefty levies on gambling income.

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

Despite the official ban, which already exempts Nevada and 3 other states, illegal sports betting is rife in the US.

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

The association's president, Geoff Freeman, explained the federal restriction, external as an "utter failure" earlier this year.
bet9ja.com
It says the UK is an example of a nation where sports betting is prevalent.
bit.ly
"It's time for Washington to stop denying states of critical tax revenue and permit them to enjoy the rewards of a regulated market," Mr Freeman stated.

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

'Times have actually changed'

On Monday, as attorneys began arguments for the Supreme Court, some more conservative judges appeared sceptical of the existing law.
bet9ja.com
The court is expected to make a decision in June 2018.

"If we achieve success here we might have bets being taken in New Jersey within 2 weeks of a choice by the court," said outbound New Jersey governor Chris Christie after going to the court hearing. "We're prepared in New Jersey - we're all set to go."

No matter the court's final judgment, Congress might likewise take up the argument amid broader discussion about online video gaming and e-sports betting.

Even a few of the expert sports betting leagues have started to change 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 across the US. "Times have actually changed," he composed in a 2014 opinion piece, external.

Addicts having problem with mobile sports betting

3 October 2017
bet9ja.com
The challenging problem of issue sports betting

31 August 2017