US Feds, New Jersey to Argue Before Judge About Sports Betting in State

TRENTON (Associated Press) — New Jersey’s efforts to offer legal sports gambling are being put to the test in federal court.

Attorneys for the state and the U.S. Department of Justice are scheduled to argue Thursday in Trenton over whether a federal law restricting sports betting to four states is unconstitutional.

The four major pro sports leagues and the NCAA sued last year after Gov. Chris Christie signed a sports wagering law and announced his intentions of awarding gambling licenses this year.

The law would allow sports wagering at Atlantic City casinos and the state’s horse racing tracks. It would exempt games involving New Jersey colleges or college games played in the state.

The federal law allows sports gambling in Nevada and in three other states that already offer limited forms of betting.