N.J. Gov. Corzine says allowing sports betting in just 4 states unfair

Philadelphia Business Journal ^ | 6/5/09 | Athena D. Meritt

[Born Conservative]

Faced with the threat of Delaware’s reactivation of sports betting, New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine is now seeking to join a federal lawsuit that would make the industry legal in the state of New Jersey and 46 others.

Delaware signed legislation into law last month legalizing sports betting, which under a federal law in 1992 was banned in all but four states (Delaware, Nevada, Montana and Oregon.)

“Delaware’s entry into sports wagering and table games is a serious threat to both the casino and horse racing industries in New Jersey,” Corzine said. “We must do everything in our power to stay competitive. We simply cannot afford to sit back and let neighboring states press an unfair advantage against us anytime, and certainly not in the midst of this global economic crisis.”

Corzine plans to join a lawsuit filed in March by Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, which seeks to overturn the federal ban.

“The federal government’s prohibition on sports betting for some but not all states is fundamentally unfair,” Corzine said. “There should be uniformity in the application of federal law. If one state is allowed to legalize betting on sports events, all states should be allowed the same opportunity.”

[americanophile]

Eureka! It’s called Federalism John, welcome aboard.

[vaudine]

Vaudine says it is unfair to let John Corzine buy a governorship.

vaudine

[TBP]

I don’t want sports betting spreading around, but Corzine is right here: this is a matter for the states to decide, not the Federal government.

[Ken H]

Delaware signed legislation into law last month legalizing sports betting, which under a federal law in 1992 was banned in all but four states (Delaware, Nevada, Montana and Oregon.)

WTH kind of law is that???

Corzine has unknowingly stumbled and lurched into the correct position!

[Blue Jays]

Even a broken clock is correct twice per day.

[eyedigress]

Does Corzine have a clue where the bookmakers live? Trampling on the Mafia could get rough.

[freekitty]

Let the mob in all of the 57 states.

[Renkluaf]

Learn how to compete John!

[Malesherbes]

Whatever Corzine is for, I assume that I am against. No state has a sleazier looking governor than New Jersey.

[Bookie1066]

Look the law is clearly unconstitutional. The Feds have no jurisdiction to regulate gambling. Just pass the sports betting bill and tell the Feds to go pound sand.