By Zach Persing ’15, Staff Writer

On Tuesday, September 17th, the 3rd United States Circuit Court of Appeals denied New Jersey’s latest attempt to legalize sports gambling in the Garden State.  In a 2-1 decision, the court stated that despite passing legislation of the matter, the New Jersey State Legislature lacks the authority to decide the issue for itself, citing a 1991 federal law that banned sports betting in all but four states.  Governor Chris Christie, a vocal advocate for legalization, has said that the state will appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.  Due to the renewed relevance of this issue in New Jersey, many people in the state have engaged in debate on the matter themselves.  Much like the rampant steroid use in baseball over the past few decades, this highly complex issue has created a very unusual situation, a clash that involves both the sports world and the political world.

Proponents of legalization use multiple arguments to support their beliefs.  Some Americans say that this type of issue isn’t the business of the federal government, and each individual state legislature should have the ability to make whatever decision is best for the people of their state.  Other people have opinions that focus on sports gambling itself.  For example, Soven Bery ’15 believes that legalization in New Jersey could lead to economic growth and a dramatic change to the sports world as we know it.  “Legalizing sports gambling would bring great amounts of money to Atlantic City, and to the Meadowlands.  If gambling was legalized it would change, nay, revolutionize, the sports business world,” he said.  Jai Ghose ’14 echoed many of Bery’s sentiments while also declaring his support for legalization.  “Sports gambling allows for New Jersey citizens to do what they please with their money, undercutting illegal providers of the service.” While it is unknown if residents of the Garden State will ever be able to gamble on sporting events legally, one thing is clear: if they are allowed to, great change will come.

For every person who supports the legalization of sports gambling, there is one who opposes it.  (A recent nationwide public opinion poll showed that 42% of people support legalization, and 42% are against it.)  Many people who oppose legalization are expressing their opinions for ideological reasons.  Some people believe that sports gambling is a nasty habit and that our nation would be a better place without it.  Others point to the history of sports, especially baseball, to show that gambling is a cancer to the sports world.  Two of the most iconic players in baseball history, Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, have been banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame for scandals rooted in gambling.  Many people in the world of sports have gone to great lengths to prevent sports gambling.  The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, has threatened to remove postseason competitions from the state of Delaware (one of the four states where sports gambling is legal) and has said that they would assess the same punishment to New Jersey.  By making these threats, the NCAA is attempting to preserve the integrity of sports.

The outlook for sports gambling in New Jersey can aptly be described as murky.  Even if the Supreme Court decides to take up the case, a decision would still be very far away.  It is possible, however, that in the coming years this issue could receive significant national attention of Governor Christie decides to seek the presidency, which many people expect him to do.  However, regardless of Christie’s political future, this issue is likely to remain on the minds of many New Jersey residents until it is resolved.