Online Gambling in the USA: Year In Review
November 8, 2011: Jersey Sports Betting Vote
Last fall voters in New Jersey overwhelmingly approved an initiative legalizing sports betting in the Garden State the moment the Feds drop their ban. Given that the Federal Government is not going to lift the ban on their own, New Jersey plans on challenging the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act in Federal court. Now exactly when they’re going to get around to filing the papers is another story entirely.
Tags: Bingo, Bodog, Calvin Ayre, Las Vegas, Nevada, New Jersey, Sports Betting
Wow so much happened last year in online poker.
The last 12 months were indeed a bit of a roller coaster ride! It doesn’t look like things are going to slow down very much in the next 12 months either.
I think I’m most interested in seeing how the Calvin Ayre indictment plays out. The Department of Justice seems really fixated on bringing him in, but he’s got a lot of fight and a lot of money to fight with, so it could be a real cage match!
No mention of New Jersey
I love the comment about half a century of sports betting in Vegas. It’s mind boggling the amount of taxes that could be collected in the US if sports betting were country wide.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the kind words.
It’s always seemed to me that if anyone was really interested in fixing professional sporting events, they probably wouldn’t care whether they could bet on them legally or not.
In fact, unusual betting patterns that might indicate a fixed games would be a lot easier to spot in a legal, regulated market.
Also, check out slide #4 for quick account of the New Jersey situation.
“unusual betting patterns that might indicate a fixed games would be a lot easier to spot in a legal, regulated market.”
I agree. The alcohol industry is a good example….prohibition didn’t work…now its taxed and provides tons of jobs.
Good point, Tim! Thanks for the comment.