Two N.J. Congressmen Renew Push for Legalized Sports Betting in Garden State
By David Madden
WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) -- Two New Jersey congressmen have revived the effort on Capitol Hill to legalize sports betting in their state.
The arguments made by Reps. Frank LoBiondo (R) and Frank Pallone (D) are not new, but they are hoping that with Nevada senator Harry Reid no longer in control of the Senate's agenda, the idea will at least get a fair hearing now.
LoBiondo hopes the timing is right.
"Hopefully, more people have had the opportunity to understand that the arguments used against this by the professional leagues -- that betting is not going on on games -- is just ludicrous," he notes.
LoBiondo's bill would give all states a four-year window to approve wagering on sports, while Pallone's plan would add New Jersey to the list of four states currently allowed to have it.
The State of New Jersey is also pursuing the legalization of sports betting through the courts.