Assemblymen Van Drew Greenwald Whelan

FOR RELEASE: February 17, 2006
CONTACT: Assemblyman Van Drew
(609) 381-6150 or 465-0700
Assemblyman Greenwald
(856) 435-1247 Assemblyman Whelan
(609) 383-1388

SPORTS BETTING BILL A SURE SHOT
FOR COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

(TRENTON) -- The Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee will consider legislation as early as next week that would clear the way for possible sports betting at Atlantic City casinos.

Committee Chairman Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May) today said the sports betting measure will be on the panel's schedule for its meeting next Thursday, February 23.
Van Drew, Vice Chairman Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic), and long-time sports betting proponent Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) have stepped up efforts to secure passage of the sports betting legalization measure after the State Police recently uncovered a national sports betting ring that took wagers from celebrities and that had alleged Mafia ties.
"This gambling investigation is a living, breathing example of why sports betting should be allowed at Atlantic City's casinos," said Van Drew. "Sports betting is a reality. Let's keep it open, honest, clean and fair."
Greenwald said the sports betting bill would effectively challenge a federal law that limits legalized sports betting to four states: Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. New Jersey failed to meet a 1994 deadline that would have allowed it to join those other states.
Under the measure, voters would need to approve a referendum -- perhaps as soon as this November -- to allow the sports gambling expansion in Atlantic City. The bill specifically would prohibit betting on non-professional sports, such as college basketball.
"It's time to stop talking about sports betting and start doing something about it," said Greenwald. "This measure would help produce a new revenue stream for state programs that help seniors and residents with disabilities."
Whelan said the measure would sharpen the competitive edge of Atlantic City's casinos.
"The expansion of gambling in other states demands this response," said Whelan. "It's time we find out once and for all if sports gambling can be added to the wagering mix at Atlantic City's gaming halls."
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