On Monday, Feb. 8, a NJ state Senate committee put forth legislation in favor of amending the state’s Constitution to allow betting on professional and college sports at Atlantic City casinos and state racetracks.
An assembly will examine the bill this week, but it will be an uphill battle to get the amendment passed and it must also overcome a federal ban on such wagering in New Jersey and nearly every other state.
But Barbara DeMarco, a lobbyist for the racing industry, lauded the vote saying, “It’s huge. I feel as if for once, the Davids had a say, as opposed to the Goliaths.”
DeMarco has likened the horse racing industry as the “little guy” in a battle against Atlantic City’s casinos. But, any measure adopted would bar wagering on collegiate sporting events in New Jersey and on any games featuring New Jersey college teams, no matter where they took place. Since 1992, federal law has banned sports betting in any state except for Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon.
|




