Bill Text: NJ AR15 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges the United States Congress to lift the ban on sports wagering.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-25 - Transferred to Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee [AR15 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR15-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT J. POLISTINA
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman JOHN F. AMODEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman ALBERT COUTINHO
District 29 (Essex and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Wagner and Quijano
SYNOPSIS
Urges the United States Congress to lift the ban on sports wagering.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Assembly Resolution urging the United States Congress to lift the federal ban on sports wagering.
Whereas, Since January 1, 1993, the federal "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act," 28 U.S.C.ss.3701 et seq., has prohibited states and local governments from authorizing sports wagering; and
Whereas, Under the terms of the federal law, Nevada is the only state where sports wagering is legally permitted, and this activity has resulted in great direct and indirect revenues to that state's economy; and
Whereas, According to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, about $94.5 million was legally wagered in Nevada on the 2006 Super Bowl game only, and the 2006 Super Bowl weekend generated about $102.4 million in non-gaming economic impact as the game attracted 285,000 visitors to Las Vegas; and
Whereas, It is estimated that Nevada's legal sports wagering represents less than 1% of all sports wagering nationwide; and
Whereas, In fact, according to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, illegal sports wagering amounts to about $380 billion each year; and
Whereas, The federal sports wagering ban is not effective in curbing illegal sport gambling, so that lifting the ban on sports wagering would allow state gaming enforcement agencies to properly regulate and police this activity; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey would benefit significantly from an end to the federal ban, as sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos would be subject to the existing 8% casino gross revenue tax and the 1.25% investment alternative tax, thereby generating more income for the State; and
Whereas, Furthermore, the legalization of sports wagering would enhance Atlantic City as a gaming and tourism destination; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United States Congress to remove the federal ban on sports wagering.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof shall be transmitted to the majority and minority leaders of the United States Congress, and to each member of Congress elected from New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution urges the United States Congress to lift the federal ban on sports wagering.
Sports wagering is currently illegal under the "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act," 28 U.S.C.ss.3701 et seq., although when the act took effect in 1993, it grandfathered the states of Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana, and gave New Jersey one year to enact a law to authorize sports wagering. However, Nevada is currently the only state where sports wagering is legal, regulated, policed, and taxed.
Although sports wagering is illegal under federal law, the prohibition has failed to curb that activity. It is estimated that Americans wager about $380 billion each year on sports alone, and the legal wagers on sporting events placed in Nevada amount to only 1% of that total. By legalizing sports wagering, state gaming enforcement agencies could finally properly regulate and police this illegal activity, and states could also tax it and thereby generate needed tax dollars to alleviate states budget gaps. The legalization of sports wagering would enhance Atlantic City as a gaming and tourism destination.
