Attorney General: Gambling in Sports Pools in Casinos, Racetracks is Not a Criminal Offense

The State Attorney General Statewide Directive ruled that sports gambling pools in casinos and at racetracks in New Jersey aren’t criminal offenses, Gov. Chris Christie announced on Monday ahead of the Atlantic City Summit.

It won’t violate the law as long as there is no gambling on a college sport or athletic event in New Jersey.

The NCAA and professional sports leagues have been opposing the Sports Wagering Act, which Christie signed into law following a 2011 referendum that called for the legalization of sports betting in the state.

Their claim was that the law violated Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, but the state claims that act is unconstitutional.

Federal Court and the Third District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the leagues, and Christie has said he would take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

As the law enforcement agency of state law in New Jersey, the State Attorney General took on the task of evaluating whether casinos and racetracks would be committing a criminal offense by operating sports gambling pools as part of their business.

The Attorney General ruled that the Sports Wagering Act repealed the section of state law that prohibits gambling that allows casinos to run sports gambling pools. The ruling was based on the Third Circuit’s argument in favor of the the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act’s constitutionality.

The act doesn’t prohibit New Jersey from repealing its ban on sports wagering, according to the appeals court. It expressly forbids Congress from dictating to an individual state what it can require and prohibit.

It also found that the federal court’s ruling that the licensing of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act pre-empts the Sports Wagering Act doesn’t invalidate the repeal of the prohibitions because the invalidation of one portion of the legislation doesn’t invalidate the entire legislation.

The prohibition is not impacted by the invalidation of the licensing.

The ruling takes effect immediately.

The ruling comes as about about 30 politicians, casino executives, union leaders, and other representatives prepare to meet in Atlantic City to discuss the casino crisis Monday afternoon.