New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak has asked the state's governor, Jon S. Corzine, to file a law suit challenging a federal statute that bans sports betting in all but four states. Sen. Lesniak would like to have regulated sports betting in order to attract more customers to Atlantic City casinos.
Earlier this year the State Assembly approved a plan that would permit sports betting in Atlantic City casinos, at the Meadowlands, and Monmouth Park and at Freehold Raceway. The Senate has not yet discussed the plan.
The federal law in question dates to 1993. It prohibits sports betting in all states except Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon. Only Nevada exercises the right, however.
Sen. Lesniak thinks the law discriminates against his state. "Congress did more than make us second class citizens," he told the Associated Press. "It violated the Constitution of the United States of America."
Sen Lesniak says he will file the suit himself if Governor Corzine will not do it.