ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed a bill into law legalizing sports betting in his state — but only after a federal ban on such gambling is overturned.
The governor signed a bill Tuesday that was passed overwhelmingly by both houses of the Legislature. It would legalize betting on professional and collegiate sporting games at the Atlantic City casinos and the state’s four horse tracks.
Voters signaled by a 2-to-1 margin in a nonbinding November referendum they want sports betting to be legal.
Next is a court battle against a federal law banning sports betting in all but four states.
Proponents say New Jersey’s law would reclaim millions of dollars from illegal bookies, and give Atlantic City another attraction to bring visitors to the casinos.
