Sports Betting Symphony–Supremes Legalize It

Court decision here:

Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own. Our job is to interpret the law Congress has enacted and decide whether it is consistent with the Constitution. PASPA is not. PASPA “regulate[s] state governments’ regulation” of their citizens, New York, 505 U. S., at 166. The Constitution gives Congress no such power. The judgment of the Third Circuit is reversed.


From CNN:

The Supreme Court cleared the way on Monday for states to legalize sports betting, striking down a 1992 federal law that had prohibited most states from authorizing sports betting.

The 6-3 ruling is a victory for New Jersey and other states who have considered allowing sports gambling as a way to encourage tourism and tax revenue. The NCAA, NFL and NBA had backed the federal prohibition.

The court said the federal law violated constitutional principles limiting the federal government from controlling state policy, unconstitutionally forcing states to prohibit sports betting under their own laws.

“The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours to make,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the 6-3 opinion. “Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each state is free to act on its own.”

Full story here.

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10 comments

  1. I do not believe that the Mohegan & Mashantucket tribes’ compact with the state gives them exclusive rights to sports betting, although I’m sure they will make that claim.

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    1. Flubadub,
      The state of Connecticut will muscle the Indians out of the way. Sports betting is too good a revenue stream to not fight for.

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      1. Only those with a superficial understanding of the law would think the Indians will surrender their exclusive contract. Their brilliant lawyers anticipated this decision and took precautionary steps long ago.

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        1. Today, the state of Connecticut gets a cut of casino revenue.
          Tomorrow, the Indians might get a cut of all sports betting revenue.
          Expect a legal battle. There’s too much at stake and the Indians are well-positioned for a windfall.

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  2. Speed is a core success trait. Conclusion: Bridgeport’s OPED should produce an original, money-making plan to enable 1000 Bridgeporters to (legally) earn $1000 day, before some on else does.

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  3. Consistent with state regulations, Bridgeport should open its own sports betting complex. Such a system would gather bets from nearby towns and show the kind of entrepreneurial zeal often missing here.
    What a fantastic casino substitute, too!
    Route 8 brings hundreds of people here everyday-some of them want to wager a bet. Bridgeport could capitalize on that.
    If he’s not too busy campaigning, it would offer a great leadership role for the Mayor.

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  4. We already have a state licensed facility under the pari-mutuel operator at Shoreline Star. They will be included under the proposed legislation .

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