It happened.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of the state of New Jersey, striking down a ban prohibiting legal sports gambling (see story). The state already has legislation in place to act quickly on this news, and according to many outlets, wagers on sports may begin within the next month. A handful of other states, including Pennsylvania, already have legislation in place and could be operational later this year.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released the following statement on this landmark decision:
"I am thrilled to see the Supreme Court finally side with New Jersey and strike down the arbitrary ban on sports betting imposed by Congress decades ago.
"New Jersey has long been the lead advocate in fighting this inherently unequal law, and today's ruling will finally allow for authorized facilities in New Jersey to take the same bets that are legal in other states in our country.
"Today's victory would not have been possible without the incredible bipartisan effort from so many in our state, particularly former Governor Christie and former State Senator Lesniak. I look forward to working with the Legislature to enact a law authorizing and regulating sports betting in the very near future."
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The news also set social media on fire. Here are some of what is being said.
BREAKING: Supreme Court strikes down federal anti sports gambling law, gives states go-ahead to allow betting on sports.— The Associated Press (@AP) May 14, 2018
Notes on how @NFL will react to the sports gambling news: 1. Maintaining integrity of the game is the highest's priority. 2. It won't rush into the biggest pot of dollars. Will slow-play this & think long-term. 3. The direct dollars will come from licensing, logos, videos & data.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 14, 2018
On May 10, 2014, Monmouth Park built a sports bar in hopes of immediately turning it into a sports book, thinking sports gambling was soon on the way. They waited four years to the week. pic.twitter.com/6og4PnRgMx— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 14, 2018
A great day for the rights of states and their people to make their own decisions. New Jersey citizens wanted sports gambling and the federal Gov't had no right to tell them no. The Supreme Court agrees with us today. I am proud to have fought for the rights of the people of NJ.— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) May 14, 2018
"The addition of online and mobile sports betting holds the potential to generate billions of dollars annually for cash-strapped state governments."
- @DraftKings https://t.co/BdJZ2smy3I— Dave Briggs (@davebriggstv) May 14, 2018
Still relevant 👇 https://t.co/RvJe51HCY2— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 14, 2018
Statement of MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark on U.S. Supreme Court's sports betting decision... pic.twitter.com/0pLmWvb9KU— #MLBPA (@MLB_PLAYERS) May 14, 2018
NCAA statement on Supreme Court sports wagering decision: https://t.co/CbqyxJU0OM pic.twitter.com/7AsXUkPUr2— NCAA (@NCAA) May 14, 2018
Major League Baseball issued the following statement regarding today's ruling regarding sports betting made by the Supreme Court of the United States:
"Today's decision by the United States Supreme Court will have profound effects on Major League Baseball. As each state considers whether to allow sports betting, we will continue to seek the proper protections for our sport, in partnership with other professional sports. Our most important priority is protecting the integrity of our games. We will continue to support legislation that creates air-tight coordination and partnerships between the state, the casino operators and the governing bodies in sports toward that goal."
As this story develops, including when information about when and where legal sports wagers will begin to take place, check back with NBC Sports Philadelphia.
