Bill Text: NJ AR18 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges New Jersey congressional delegation to oppose efforts to federally regulate sports betting.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [AR18 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR18-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman JOHN ARMATO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Downey
SYNOPSIS
Urges New Jersey congressional delegation to oppose efforts to federally regulate sports betting.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Assembly Resolution respectfully urging the New Jersey congressional delegation to oppose efforts to federally regulate sports betting.
Whereas, In 1992, Congress enacted the federal "Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act," which established a general prohibition on sports betting in the United States and prohibited some states and local governments from authorizing sports betting; and
Whereas, On May 14, 2018, New Jersey won its challenge against the 1992 federal law when the United States Supreme Court ruled in the State's favor and struck down the sports betting prohibition; and
Whereas, In June, shortly after the Supreme Court's ruling, New Jersey legalized sports betting in the State; and
Whereas, In the first four months of legalized sports betting in New Jersey, the sports betting market in the State has surpassed over a half-billion dollars and the State's sports betting industry is enjoying remarkable growth; and
Whereas, On December 19, 2018, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced the "Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act of 2018" in the 115th Congress, which would have federally regulated sports betting; and
Whereas, The federal bill would have required states to seek federal approval to run a sports betting program, create a National Sports Wagering Clearinghouse for wagering data, and required that sportsbooks only use official game data from professional leagues; and
Whereas, The federal bill would have created uncertainty in an already established and regulated industry in New Jersey and risk causing bettors and operators in the State to leave the State's regulated market; and
Whereas, The legalization of sports betting in New Jersey has increased revenues and sports betting related activities at racetracks and casinos in the State, which has created job opportunities and enhanced tourism and economic growth for the State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the New Jersey congressional delegation to oppose efforts to federally regulate sports betting in the United States.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to each member of the United States Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution respectfully urges the New Jersey congressional delegation to oppose federal efforts to regulate sports betting in the United States. In 1992, the United States Congress enacted a general prohibition on sports betting. New Jersey challenged this law and the United States Supreme Court ruled in the State's favor on May 14, 2018 and struck down the general prohibition on sports betting. In June, shortly after the Supreme Court's ruling, New Jersey legalized sports betting.
On December 19, 2018, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced the "Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act of 2018." The federal bill would have required states to seek federal approval to run a sports betting program, create a National Sports Wagering Clearinghouse for wagering data, and require that sportsbooks only use official game data from professional leagues, which would federally regulate sports betting and potentially threaten New Jersey's existing regulated market.
In the first four months since the State legalized sports betting in New Jersey, the sports betting market in the State has surpassed the half-billion dollars mark and the State's sports betting industry has created job opportunities at New Jersey's racetracks and casinos. If enacted into law, the federal bill would create uncertainty into an already established and regulated industry in the State and threaten economic growth in the State. The New Jersey congressional delegation is respectfully urged to oppose efforts to federally regulate sports betting in the United States.
