In a landmark decision of six votes to three, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned a congressional ban on sports betting. This ban, known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, has been contested by New Jersey. Lower courts ruled against the state until it petitioned SCOTUS last June.
According to reports, the Justices determined that Congress had ‘no constitutional authority’ to implement the ban in 1992. Since four states in America are allowed to offer sports betting, the Justices determined that Congress had been constitutionally inconsistent in banning 46 other states from doing the same.
Supreme Court PASPA Ruling
In the opinion of the Supreme Court, the justices determined that Congress didn’t have the ‘legislative power’ to pass the law on a federal level. In fact, it went against the Tenth Amendment of the US constitution. To put it simply, only state governments could decide whether or not to ban things like gambling.
New Jersey had already repealed the law against sports betting, but was told that it couldn’t change ‘federal statutes’. By taking their petition to the Supreme Court, New Jersey went against all odds. Their chances weren’t great, but the gamble paid off when justices cited the Tenth Amendment as grounds for overturning PASPA.
Overturning a federal law means that individual states may now ban or legalise sports betting. At least 25 other states, including New Jersey, are planning gambling laws. These are expected to roll out over the next few years.
Bookies on the Prowl
So, what happens next? Well, many states have been preparing new gambling laws, but some may decide to uphold the ban. Time will tell if other forms of gambling will be legalised, but it’s looking positive for the moment.
Keep visiting NZ Casinos for updates on this story and other gambling news.
Taralynn Engels is a seasoned casino news writer with a passion for keeping her readers up-to-date with the latest happenings in the gambling industry. With over five years of professional writing experience, Taralynn has developed a deep understanding of the casino industry and a knack for delivering engaging and informative content. Aside from her in-depth knowledge of the casino industry, Taralynn possesses excellent writing skills that allow her to craft captivating narratives that keep readers hooked until the last word. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and present them in an accessible manner guarantees that her articles are enjoyed by both seasoned casino enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Recently updated on August 1st, 2019Pragmatic Play announced that it has obtained its Recognition Notice from the Malta Gaming Authority. This was in addition to its license by the watchdog. The Malta-based designer and supplier of internet casino content presently hold a Serious Supply License by the Malta Gaming Authority. This enables it to offer […]
Recently updated on February 3rd, 2019Following the discovery of a customer that was paid off not to talk to the regulator, the UK Gambling Commission has issued a warning to the gambling industry at large against the use of gag orders. This comes after the scandal that links casino giant Ladbrokes in a payoff to […]
Recently updated on July 11th, 2019Software company, Blueprint Gaming, has released the new pokies game Thundercats Reel of Thundera. In partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products, the casino software developer set out to release another instalment of the Thundercats slots game. The pokies game is based on the 1980s TV series Thundercats. In a statement […]
Recently updated on September 5th, 2019 In five years, the New Zealand video game industry could be worth a billion dollars. The interactive gaming industry is said to be the future of New Zealand’s economy. A report identifying how video gaming could create jobs and export earning if the government was involved was recently released. […]
Recently updated on October 1st, 2021Every lottery draw is random, so why not choose your ticket numbers randomly with quick picks? When you buy a lotto ticket, you can choose to Quick Pick or use your numbers. There’s no right or wrong choice, but it can improve your odds if you use one method over […]