Supreme Court makes sports betting a possibility nationwide

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

The Supreme Court on Monday struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The 1992 law barred state-authorized sports gambling with some exceptions. It made Nevada the only state where a person could wager on the results of a single game.

One research firm estimated before the ruling that if the Supreme Court were to strike down the law, 32 states would likely offer sports betting within five years.

The court’s decision came in a case from New Jersey, which has fought for years to legalize gambling on sports at casinos and racetracks in the state.

Statements

The Casino Association of Indiana:

“The Casino Association of Indiana applauds the Supreme Court’s historic decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Professional Act of 1992 (PASPA). The decision creates an opportunity for Indiana to create a regulated and transparent market that allows Hoosiers to legally participate in sports wagering. Legislators in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly filed legislation in 2018 that would have authorized sports wagering in Indiana if PASPA were overturned. We are very hopeful that policy makers will renew that debate when the legislature convenes in January. The Casino Association of Indiana looks forward to working with policy makers and regulators to ensure that when passed, Indiana’s laws and regulations can be held up as a model.”

Indiana Gaming Commission:

“The Indiana Gaming Commission has been closely monitoring sports betting and, especially in light of today’s ruling, we will continue to evaluate its potential impact upon Indiana.”