It has cost New Jersey literally millions of dollars to bring its battle to allow legal sports betting in the United States to its current status. But the Garden State believes that its wager will pay off big time and is therefore not balking from the bill it received from the law firm representing it at the Supreme Court.
According to records that were made public by the Division of Law, the Senate Majority Office and the Sports and Exposition Authority, the state has been billed more than $8.7 million over the years that it has spent fighting the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. New Jersey’s efforts began as a fight to allow wagering on sports at state casinos and racetracks, but has now reached the point where a ruling in their favor (expected any day now) could open the floodgates for multiple states to change their own sports betting laws.
But New Jersey knows that if it wins its case, it will be rewarded with a much greater jackpot: The state is expected to generate more than $173 million in tax revenues. In addition, over 3,600 jobs will be created.
New Jersey was billed $7 million between 2012 and 2017 by the law firm Gibson Dunn and Crutcher. According to the records, the Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Racing Commission paid the bill with fees that were collected from state horse racetracks and casinos.
Another bill, to the tune of $1.5 million, was sent by another law firm, Gibbons PC, which represented New Jersey.
In 2012, and again in 2014, former New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie signed on the Legislature-approved Sports Wagering Act allowing the state to amend its constitution and allow sports betting. The law was obstinately challenged by five major sports leagues and the case eventually reached the higher court.
A ruling is expected by the Supreme Court at the end of next month or in early July, 2018.
