Arizona, several other states challenge to allow sports betting
Jan 17, 2017, 2:30 PM
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Arizona is joining New Jersey’s U.S. Supreme Court challenge to get rid of the federal sports betting ban.
New Jersey argued that the ban violated the Constitution because it prevented states from repealing their own laws.
The federal ban, ordered by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, limits sports betting only to Nevada and three other states.
The court could have decided as early as Tuesday but asked to hear more arguments.
In 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit’s panel turned down New Jersey’s request to overturn the law, which was its second attempt.
The four major sports leagues and the NCAA sued to stop New Jersey’s initiative back in 2012.
According to the leagues and the NCAA, sports betting “violates federal law and threatens the “character and integrity” of sporting events.
Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Wisconsin have also joined the effort.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
