In an opinion released today, a 6 to 3 majority of the United States Supreme Court held that the federal law banning sports betting in individual states is unconstitutional. In the case of Philp Murphy, Governor of New Jersey et al. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the court held that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) was unconstitutional because it inappropriately dictates what a state legislature may or may not do.
The court found that the Act violated the Constitution by improperly usurping the powers vested in state legislatures by the Constitution. This ruling now clears the way for New Jersey to legalize betting on professional and college sports in casinos and horse racing tracks across the state. With the removal of the federal ban it is anticipated that the state legislature will quickly move to authorize and regulate sports betting in the State of New Jersey. For a full copy of the court’s opinion please click on the link below.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/17pdf/16-476_dbfi.pdf