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New Jersey state lawmakers insist that the successful bid to land the 2014 Super Bowl in the state will not derail their efforts to bring legalized sports betting to NJ citizens.
State Senator Raymond Lesniak (D) said the Senate would vote next week on a measure to send the issue to a public referendum. "I don't believe they frown on [gambling] publicly because the Denver Broncos are playing the San Francisco 49ers in October at Wembley Stadium, and people will be betting right across the street from the stadium," said Lesniak, referring to a preseason game in London.
But Lesniak may not have been following the NFL's aggressive attempts at stymieing online gambling (specifically sports wagering) over the years. More recently, the National Football League came down hard on the state of Delaware, which last year attempted to legalize sports betting.
There is even some speculation that the state was handed the 2014 Super Bowl on condition that they halt any attempts to legalize sports betting.
Lesniak remains confident, however. Polling in the state suggests that two thirds of voters would support legalized sports wagering.
"We're voting next week and it's going to pass. It will be on the ballot and I'm certain the public is going to support it. If we win our lawsuit we are going to have sports betting at the Super Bowl," he said.
Lesniak is also suing to overturn a federal ban that prohibits sports wagering in most states.
"I've continued to ask the governor to sign on. He has, by court order, until July 15. It is important that he be part of our effort. We can win without him but it would be a lot easier with him on board," he said.
Legalized sports betting in the state of New Jersey is estimated to create $600 million of additional revenue to a state has been hit especially hard by the economic downturn.
State Assemblyman Vince Polistina, whose southern New Jersey district includes Atlantic City's casinos, said the state needs the revenue legalized sports gambling would provide. "We think that it should be legalized, that all states should be able to participate in that, and we think it would be very important for the future of Atlantic City to be able to compete with Las Vegas," Polistina said.
Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
