Sports betting laws relaxed in New Jersey

The administration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Monday issued an

Attorney General's Directive through Acting Attorney General John Hoffman

allowing sports wagering, without fear of criminal or civil liability, at New

Jersey racetracks and casinos.

"I am so pleased that Governor Chris Christie has decided to continue his

fight to support sports betting," said Dennis Drazin, advisor to the New Jersey

Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Darby Development LLC, operators of

Monmouth Park. "Today's decision will certainly breathe new life into New

Jersey's gaming community and this courageous move by the Governor will surely

help stabilize our already struggling industry."

In 2012 New Jersey passed the Sports Wagering Act, which permitted the

licensing and regulation of sports betting. The State was subsequently sued

based on a 1992 statute -- the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

The U.S. District Court ruled that New Jersey could not proceed with sports

wagering and the State appealed.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court's ruling;

however, that Court stated that there was nothing that could stop New Jersey

from removing prohibitions against sports wagering.

It is based on this ruling that Governor Christie has acted, specifically

stating in a release today that, "The Attorney General's Statewide Directive

follows the Third Circuit's ruling and concludes that nothing under New Jersey

law prevents casinos and racetracks from operating a sports pool effective

today."

"It will be in the very, very near future that sports wagering will be

offered at Monmouth Park," Drazin said. "We have always stated we would take

sports wagers as soon as possible, and thanks to the Governor, Legislature and

everyone who has worked extraordinarily hard to see sports betting in New

Jersey, that day is on the very near horizon."

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