Christie Speaks on Feds Immersing Themselves in NJ Sports Betting Lawsuit
Following news that the Feds will be joining a suit filed by the professional sports leagues and NCAA to prevent legalized sports betting in the state of New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie reacted late Tuesday evening.
“I figured that’s what was going to happen,” Christie said of the intervention. “If in fact we were attacking a federal statute, which is what we’re doing – we’re saying that the statute prohibiting us from offering sports gambling is unconstitutional – the Justice department has an obligation to stand up for the constitutionality of laws that have been passed by Congress and signed by a President, which this law was.
“So I’m not the least bit surprised by [the intervention] and, fine – they’ll get to submit a brief, too,” Christie added. “Either we’re going to won or not, and I don’t think the Justice department involvement is surprising – nor will it be dispositive.”
A 1992 law, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, prohibits sports betting in all but a handful of states.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
