New Jersey governor Chris Christie has issued a directive that could enable casinos and racetracks in the state to begin offering sports wagering without fear of criminal liability, provided that bets are placed on events held outside the state.
The move follows a 2012 amendment to the state constitution to allow sports betting and the subsequent decriminalising of the operation of sports books – something that attracted strong opposition from the NFL and the NCAA.
The state lost a federal case earlier this year but maintains there are grounds to allow operators to offer sports betting without fear of legal consequences.
The US’s major sports leagues are expected to once again challenge this latest move by Governor Christie, seen by many as an attempt to prop up Atlantic City’s struggling casino industry.
