While expanded gaming faces legal challenges in New Jersey before becoming reality, the state is now accepting applications from racetracks and casinos to conduct sports wagering.
The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) said Oct. 15 that final regulations on sports wagering have been published and it will begin to accept applications. No licenses will be issued before Jan. 9, 2013.
The addition of sports wagering would be significant for New Jersey racetracks because they currently do not offer any gaming beyond pari-mutuel wagering. Monmouth Park officials previously have expressed interest in adding sports gambling. Proposed regulations set out requirements for sports pool licensing, restricting applications to casinos and racetracks or a joint venture of both.
Applying for a license will cost $50,000 and the state is asking interested tracks and casinos to identify a site where they would conduct sports wagering.
"With the publication of these regulations, New Jersey ensures effective regulation and oversight of sports wagering, consistent with its longstanding nationwide reputation for maintaining integrity and instilling public confidence in gaming operations," said DGE Director David Rebuck.
Still, the addition of sports wagering in New Jersey faces significant hurdles. A federal law bans the addition of sports wagering in states and New Jersey faces a challenge in federal court from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, and NCAA. Those pro and college leagues oppose the addition of sports wagering in the state.
With New Jersey attempting to move forward on sports wagering, the NCAA announced on Oct. 15 that it would pull five championships scheduled in the state in 2013, including Division I championships scheduled in women’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.
"Maintaining the integrity of sports and protecting student-athlete well-being are at the bedrock of the NCAA’s mission, and are reflected in our policies prohibiting the hosting of our championships in states that provide for single-game sports wagering," said NCAA executive vice president of championships and alliances Mark Lewis. "Consistent with our policies and beliefs, the law in New Jersey requires that we no longer host championships in the state."