Feds Join Leagues in New Jersey Sports Betting Suit

NEWARK, N.J. — (Associated Press) - The U.S. Department of Justice has filed notice that it is joining sports leagues' effort to stop New Jersey from instituting sports gambling.

In a filing Tuesday, federal attorneys asked a judge to give them until the end of next week to respond to constitutional challenges made by the state. Attorneys representing New Jersey have argued in court papers that an early 1990s federal law prohibiting sports gambling in all but four states is unconstitutional.

Oral arguments are scheduled for next month.

The four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA filed suit last year after Christie signed a law that would allow sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and the state's horse racing tracks.

Last month, a federal judge denied the state's motion to throw out the lawsuit.