IMEGA Issues Statement on Justice Department Joining NJ Sports Betting Suit
On Tuesday the U.S. Department of Justice filed notice that it is joining the professional sports leagues' and NCAA’s effort to stop New Jersey from instituting sports gambling, thus stacking the deck against the Garden State…or maybe not.
The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (IMEGA) head, Joe Brennan, Jr., who is assisting with the case on New Jersey’s behalf, suggested the Feds role should have little impact.
“While the decision by the US Department of Justice is disappointing, it has little bearing on the heart of the matter - that this law preventing New Jersey from regulating sports betting is unconstitutional,” Brennan Jr said in a statement issued late Tuesday.
“(The) DOJ's presence will make it more interesting, but won't make a difference. New Jersey only wants to do what Nevada and Delaware are free to do - regulate and tax sports betting - to save Atlantic City's casinos and the state's race tracks.
“It is confusing why the Obama administration would oppose a law approved in New Jersey by a 2-to-1 margin in a reliable "blue state". And though it's not likely that US Attorney-General Eric Holder made this decision based on his recent work as counsel and crisis manager for the NFL, it is legitimate to ask why the DOJ would side with billionaire team owners over the voters of New Jersey.”
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
