Bill Text: NJ SR19 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Authorizes President of the Senate to take legal action concerning certain federal legislation prohibiting sports betting.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-02-22 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR19 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR19-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION No. 19

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 12, 2010

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  STEPHEN M. SWEENEY

District 3 (Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester)

Senator  RAYMOND J. LESNIAK

District 20 (Union)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes President of the Senate to take legal action concerning certain federal legislation prohibiting sports betting.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

A Senate Resolution authorizing the President of the Senate to take legal action concerning federal legislation that prohibits the legalizing of sports betting in the State of New Jersey.

 

Whereas, In 1992, Congress enacted the federal "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act," codified at 28 U.S.C. s.3701 et seq., establishing a general prohibition on sports betting in the United States and prohibiting states and local governments from authorizing sports betting; and

Whereas, Section 3702 of the "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act" specifically provides that it is unlawful for "a governmental entity to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license, or authorize by law or compact...a lottery, sweepstakes, or other betting, gambling, or wagering scheme based, directly or indirectly...on one or more competitive games in which amateur or professional athletes participate, or are intended to participate, or on one or more performances of such athletes in such games;" and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey would benefit significantly from lifting the federal ban and legalizing sports betting in this State, as increased revenues would be generated and numerous jobs would be created for New Jersey residents as a result of sports betting activities at Atlantic City casinos and at New Jersey's racetracks, further enhancing tourism and economic growth; and

Whereas, Currently there is a suit in United States District Court, District of New Jersey, seeking declaratory relief and adjudicating the "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act" void; and

Whereas, The Senate of the State of New Jersey recognizes the significance to the State of New Jersey of legalizing sports betting and desires to overturn the federal ban on sports betting that discriminates against New Jersey residents by allowing sports betting only in the states of Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana and that violates the 10^th and 14^th Amendments to the United States Constitution; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The President of the Senate is authorized to take such legal action on behalf of the Senate as the Senate President shall deem appropriate and necessary to challenge enforcement of the federal "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act," which establishes a selective prohibition on sports betting in the United States.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This Senate Resolution would authorize the President of the Senate to take such legal action on behalf of the Senate as the Senate President shall deem appropriate and necessary to challenge enforcement of the federal "Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act," which establishes a selective prohibition on sports betting in the United States.