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Will it be a slam dunk for the US sports betting restriction?
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By Natalie Sherman
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Business press reporter, New York

A restriction on sports betting wagering in most US states could be reversed by a case being considered by the Supreme Court.

The state of New Jersey is challenging the 1992 federal law that mainly disallowed sports betting gambling, describing the matter as a "states' rights" problem.

The case, which started on Monday, follows New Jersey homeowners enacted 2011 to legalise sports betting wagering.

A group of sports betting leagues opposes banking on video games, which they fear will motivate match-fixing.

Lower courts have actually regularly ruled against New Jersey, saying it is within the federal government's power to restrict a state's policy choices.

The Supreme Court opted to hear the case nonetheless amid a larger shift in American mindsets toward gaming.

Before 1976, Nevada - home of the Las Vegas strip - was the only state with legal casinos outside Native American lands.

But over the last few years, states hungry for tax profits in the wake of the financial crash have enacted a rash of looser gaming laws, collecting substantial levies on sports betting earnings.

There are now 24 states with commercial gambling establishments - approximately double the number a years ago.

Despite the main restriction, which currently exempts Nevada and 3 other states, illegal sports betting is rife in the US.

Americans put about $154bn in prohibited sports betting bets every year, according to the American Gaming Association.
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The association's president, Geoff Freeman, explained the federal restriction, external as an "utter failure" earlier this year.

It says the UK is an example of a nation where sports betting wagering is prevalent.

"It's time for Washington to stop denying states of vital tax profits and allow them to reap the rewards of a regulated market," Mr Freeman stated.

More than 15 states submitted papers in support of New Jersey in the event. A handful have already passed laws to authorise sports betting in the event of a change.

'Times have actually altered'

On Monday, as lawyers began arguments for the Supreme Court, some more conservative judges appeared sceptical of the existing law.

The court is anticipated to make a decision in June 2018.

"If we achieve success here we might have bets being taken in New Jersey within two weeks of a decision by the court," said outgoing New Jersey guv Chris Christie after participating in the court hearing. "We're prepared in New Jersey - we're ready to go."

Despite the court's final ruling, Congress might likewise take up the debate amid broader conversation about gaming and e-sports betting.

Even a few of the professional sports betting leagues have started to alter their positions on the question of sports betting.

Adam Silver, National Basketball Association commissioner, supported a federal law that would produce a consistent set of rules across the US. "Times have altered," he wrote in a 2014 viewpoint piece, external.

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