Will it be a slam dunk for the US sports betting wagering ban?
By Natalie Sherman
Business reporter, New york city
A ban on sports betting in most US states could be reversed by a case being considered by the Supreme Court.
The state of New Jersey is challenging the 1992 federal law that largely outlawed sports betting, explaining the matter as a "states' rights" issue.
The case, which started on Monday, follows New Jersey locals enacted 2011 to legalise sports betting wagering.
A group of sports betting leagues opposes banking on video games, which they fear will encourage match-fixing.
Lower courts have consistently ruled versus New Jersey, saying it is within the federal government's power to limit a state's policy alternatives.
The Supreme Court decided to hear the case nonetheless amidst a wider shift in American attitudes towards gambling.
Before 1976, Nevada - home of the Las Vegas strip - was the only state with legal gambling establishments outside Native American lands.
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But recently, states hungry for tax revenue in the wake of the monetary crash have actually enacted a rash of looser gambling laws, collecting large levies on gaming income.
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There are now 24 states with commercial casinos - roughly double the number a decade back.
Despite the official restriction, which already exempts Nevada and three other states, prohibited sports betting wagering is swarming in the US.
Americans place about $154bn in illegal sports betting bets every year, according to the American Gaming Association.
The association's president, Geoff Freeman, described the federal ban, external as an "utter failure" previously this year.
It says the UK is an example of a country where sports betting wagering is commonplace.
"It's time for Washington to stop depriving states of important tax profits and enable them to gain the benefits of a regulated market," Mr Freeman said.
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More than 15 states filed documents in assistance of New Jersey in the case. A handful have actually currently passed laws to authorise sports betting wagering in the event of a change.
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'Times have actually changed'
On Monday, as lawyers began arguments for the Supreme Court, some more conservative judges appeared sceptical of the existing law.
The court is expected to decide in June 2018.
"If we achieve success here we could have bets being taken in New Jersey within 2 weeks of a decision by the court," said outbound New Jersey governor Chris Christie after going to the court hearing. "We're prepared in New Jersey - we're ready to go."
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Regardless of the court's last ruling, Congress might also use up the argument amidst more comprehensive conversation about online video gaming and e-sports betting.
Even some of the expert sports betting have started to alter their positions on the question of gambling.
Adam Silver, National Basketball Association commissioner, supported a federal law that would produce an uniform set of guidelines across the US. "Times have altered," he wrote in a 2014 opinion piece, external.
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Will it be a Slam Dunk for the US Sports Betting Ban?
Julius Ventura edited this page 2 weeks ago