Federal court denies New Jersey's bid for legalized sports betting
REUTERS/Steve Marcus
A federal appeals court in New Jersey ruled in favor of the NFL and other sports leagues Tuesday, shooting down the state's bid to legalize sports gambling in its casinos.
The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied the state of New Jersey's appeal of an earlier ruling, saying the bid violates the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.
New Jersey was not attempting to legalize sports gambling statewide, but trying to bring Las Vegas-style legalized betting to its struggling casinos and racetracks.
The NFL and the NCAA have been firmly against legalized sports betting. Last year, however, NBA commissioner Adam Silver wrote an op-ed saying it was time to legalize and regulate sports betting nationwide.