The NJ reports:
announced that not only did they think there was a “likelihood” the leagues would prevail at trial, but had decided the state’s plan violated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.
Likelihood that the leagues would prevail — that sounds dire.
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Reuters updated their article with some detail on the ruling. Apparently they really don’t like the single bet scheme:
Judge McKee ruled Delaware’s plan does not qualify for an exception and said there may be a risk that if a player suddenly and unexpectedly makes a move that turns the outcome of a game on which betting is allowed, the integrity of that game may be called into question.
“People are going to begin to wonder, did he throw that game?” the judge said.
Andy Bouchard, an attorney for Delaware, argued that the state’s proposal meets the definition of a lottery, as allowed by the 1992 law, and so does not violate the its intent of preventing the spread of gambling.
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UPDATE: Reports from all over note that the panel came back and ruled against Delaware:
A U.S. appeals court ruled on Monday that a plan by Delaware to allow sports betting violates federal law, siding with major sports leagues who had argued it would promote game fixing.
A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled against the state which wanted to allow betting on single games in all the major sports from Sept. 1 at three of its racetrack betting locations.
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Most of you know that today is the day that the State of Delaware and the NFL, et al show up in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals to try again to roll back the State’s plan to parley bets only until the court case is settled in December or so.
USA Today provides some reporting on the hearing this AM:
Judge Theodore McKee questioned how Delaware’s proposed sports lottery would diminish the integrity of sports as an attorney for the four major sports leagues and the NCAA presented his case in front of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday.
McKee recalled listening to the NFL Network on Sirius/XM Radio and hearing the hosts freely discuss betting on football
“There’s constant chatter and betting advice given by people — since the league owns the network — paid by the league,” McKee said. “Isn’t this like chicken little yelling the sky is falling at the same time selling tickets to watch meteor showers?”
I wish that this article talked about what the response from the NFL lawyer was. I also hope he asked what the difference was on sports betting and the branded lotto games they support through states. There is a decision expected by the end of the week.