Sen. Raymond Lesniak says he's 'disappointed' in Christie's decision but believes he has a 'powerful argument'
Lt. Gov.Kim Guadagno and Gov. Chris Christie walk towards the Assembly Chamber in this March 16 file photo at the Statehouse.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie said today he will not sign on to a legal battle to bring sports betting to New Jersey, damaging efforts to reverse a 18-year ban on wagering in the state.
In a letter to the judge handling the case, Christie chief counsel Jeff Chiesa wrote the governor would not join the lawsuit against the federal government filed by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) last year.
"At this time, given the unprecedented economic crisis and other challenges facing the state, the governor has determined that the state's limited resources would be better utilized by focusing on other, more immediate issues facing the citizens of New Jersey," Chiesa wrote.
A Christie spokesman, Michael Drewniak, said "there were just too many steep legal hurdles to clear, and it would at best be a legal long shot."
Sen. Ray Lesniak seen on the floor of the senate session in this June 2010 photo.Lesniak and industry representatives argue a tax on bets could bring the state $100 million a year. The lawsuit argues the 1992 sports betting ban discriminates against New Jersey and 45 other states where sports betting is illegal. Only Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon met the deadline to sign up for sports betting.
Lesniak today said he is "disappointed" in Christie's decision, but believes with the support of Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) he still has "a powerful argument" that the ban unconstitutionally restricts states' rights under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
"We expect to win," Lesniak said.
Christie's predecessor, former Gov. Jon Corzine, had sought to become a party to the lawsuit. But U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni ruled that Corzine could join the case on Nov. 2, the day before Christie beat the Democratic incumbent in the governor's race.
Christie, a Republican, had been granted an extension until today to make up his mind. The governor has said he generally supports sports betting but did not want to make a commitment on the lawsuit until receiving a report from a special commission analyzing the state's sports, entertainment and gaming scene. The commission report is due at the end of the month.
Lesniak has said he would like to see sports betting at casinos, racetracks and off-track betting establishments, in addition to allowing online and phone wagering. Proponents of overturning the ban in New Jersey say sports betting would help revitalize Atlantic City, which has suffered severe drops in casino revenue during the economic downturn.
Opponents to legalized sports betting include those who try to prevent gambling addiction and national sports leagues and groups.