Pallone Statement on Federal Court Ruling on Sports Betting in New Jersey

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today issued the following statement on U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp’s decision to bar New Jersey from implementing its new sports betting law:

"I am very disappointed with Judge Shipp's ruling and disagree with his decision. I believe New Jersey's sports betting law fully complies with the ruling set down by the Third Circuit and that it should be allowed to be implemented as such. Legal sports betting will have a real and tangible impact on the State of New Jersey, bringing tourism and tax revenue to the state and reinvigorating the racetracks and Atlantic City.

"The fact is, the citizens of New Jersey passed a constitutional amendment by referendum and their legislature acted to give it effect. While the Third Circuit may have ruled that New Jersey's original sports betting law was not legal, New Jersey has now enacted a law that complies with the requirements set out by the court and which allows New Jersey to permit sports betting within its borders. This ruling simply misses the mark.

"I remain committed to seeing sports betting becoming legal in the New Jersey. I believe that change is needed at the federal level and will continue to work with my colleagues, in particular, Congressman LoBiondo, to see this change occur."