Leagues Appeal Judge's Ruling On Sports Betting

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Attorneys for professional sports leagues and the NCAA are appealing a federal judge's refusal to halt Delaware's planned sports betting lottery until a legal challenge is resolved.

The leagues filed a notice of appeal with the court on Friday, two days after Chief District Judge Gregory Sleet denied their request for a preliminary injunction.

Sleet said the leagues had not met the criteria to justify an injunction. He set a Dec. 7 trial date on their claims that the sports betting plan violates a federal ban on sports gambling, as well as Delaware's state constitution.

The appeal could interfere with the state's effort to begin sports betting with the start of football season in September.

Joe Rogalsky, a spokesman for Gov. Jack Markell, declined to comment on the appeal.