TRENTON – Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, the prime sponsor of legislation legalizing sports wagering in New Jersey, issued the following statement on Friday in response to the decision by a federal judge denying the state the right to allow sports betting:
“This is a huge disappointment for all of us who continue to believe that New Jersey should have the right to allow sports betting. Along with online gaming, sports betting would allow New Jersey to be in the forefront of the modern gaming industry, creating jobs and providing both immediate and long-term economic benefits.
“I urge the entire New Jersey Congressional delegation to support the federal legislation sponsored by Congressman Frank Pallone and Congressman Frank LoBiondo that would lift the federal ban on sports betting and allow New Jersey to compete fairly with Nevada, where sports betting is allowed.
“At the same time, we will appeal this misinterpretation of the U. S. Constitution by Judge Shipp, but that means we’ll have to wait another year to get justice for the residents of New Jersey who overwhelmingly approved my sports betting referendum.”