WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme
Court issued a ruling on Monday that could clear the way for legalized
betting on college and professional sports. The 7-2 decision came
in a New Jersey case and strikes down a 25-year-old federal law effectively
prohibiting sports betting outside Nevada.
John Bonacic (R, Mt. Hope), chairman of the State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, said the legislature must approve sports betting in New York before it adjourns on June 20 so that the governor can sign the measure, paving the way for betting on the NFL and World Series.
“Then you can regulate this industry, you can tax it, you can have consumer protections, you can make sure that those that are engaging in taking bets have enough capital and reserves to pay their bets off and you are taking away the action of illegal sporting platforms and that is the goal,” Bonacic said.
The ruling is a defeat for the NCAA and the major professional baseball,
basketball, football, and hockey leagues, all opposed to legalized sports
betting.