Officials in New Jersey are praising a Supreme Court decision that strikes down a federal ban on sports gambling. New Jersey is expected to start allowing sports betting within a few weeks.
“New Jersey has long been the lead advocate in fighting this inherently unequal law, and today’s ruling will finally allow for authorized facilities in New Jersey to take the same bets that are legal in other states in our country,” Governor Phil Murphy said.
Monmouth Park is expected to be the first place in New Jersey to allow sports gambling. It has already renovated a sports bar into a sports book to take bets. Monmouth Park operator Dennis Drazen said people are already lining up to be the first to make a wager.
“Congressman (Frank) Pallone called me, he wants to come over. (Former) Governor (Chris) Christie always said he’d like to do it. There are probably 30 or 40 people in this room that might take a bet today if I let them,” Drazen said.
Former Governor Christie began the fight to legalize sports gambling in New Jersey several years ago. The state is expected to generate tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue.
“A great day for the rights of states and their people to make their own decisions. New Jersey citizens wanted sports gambling and the federal Gov’t had no right to tell them no. The Supreme Court agrees with us today. I am proud to have fought for the rights of the people of NJ,” Christie said on Twitter.
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