U.S. Sports Leagues Sued By New Jersey Horse Racing Association
Claims that sports leagues’ opposition to the repeal of PASPA cost one racetrack alone $130 million
The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association filed a legal action against the four major US pro sports leagues and the NCAA Thursday, claiming the leagues cost one of the state’s racetracks more than $130 million in lost revenue by blocking the advent of legal sports betting.
The action follows the victory of New Jersey in its Supreme Court appeal, which resulted in the overturn of the restrictive Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and the liberalisation of sports betting in the United States (see previous InfoPowa reports).
The successful appeal was the result of years of expensive litigation by the state in which New Jersey was opposed by the sports leagues.
The Associated Press news agency reports that Thursday’s filing in a federal court claims the leagues acted in bad faith when they obtained a restraining order in 2014 to block Monmouth Park Racetrack from offering sports betting.
The suit claims Monmouth Park would have generated $139 million in revenue between November 2014 and May 2018 when the Supreme Court ruling was handed down, permitting all US states to authorise legal sports gambling if desired. It also claims the leagues’ bad faith is illustrated by the fact that they were actively promoting and endorsing businesses that made millions from fantasy sports games.
“During the intervening years the Leagues’ actions nearly put Monmouth Park out of business, inflicted significant financial and emotional hardship on hundreds of innocent Monmouth Park workers, and jeopardized the continued viability of New Jersey’s entire equine industry,” the filing alleges, asking for payment of a $3.4 million bond the leagues posted in 2014 to secure any loss the horsemen’s association might suffer during the time the temporary restraining order was in effect.
It also seeks an evidentiary hearing to determine the total damages owed by the leagues.
Spokesmen for the NBA, MLB and NFL have thus far not responded.
Weekend Reading
The latest Rutgers University survey of online gambling behaviour in New Jersey has been released, covering a wide range of interesting insights into online punter preferences and behaviour
Although only covering the period to end 2015 the survey is based on information provided by New Jersey’s licensed online gaming operators and includes:
- The demographic breakdowns of online gamblers
- The gambling behaviours among different subgroups
- The efficacy of certain responsible gaming policies
This report is by respected US online gambling writer Steve Ruddock: https://www.playnj.com/news/rutgers-nj-online-gambling-report-2018/18493/
William Hill US Partners Ocean Resort Casino
For launch of Sports Book in Atlantic City
William Hill US and the soon-to-be opened Ocean Resort Casino Atlantic City have agreed a partnership in which William Hill will operate the casino’s sports book.
Pending regulatory approval, William Hill will operate a 7,500 square foot sports book in the heart of Ocean’s gaming floor, a newly constructed $6 million gaming area featuring state-of-the-art facilities.
“We are very excited to be a part of Ocean Resort Casino, and to have a presence on the Atlantic City boardwalk,” Joe Asher, chief executive officer of William Hill US, said. “We have had great success working with Ocean’s senior management in Las Vegas, and we are excited to have the chance to do so in Atlantic City at what will be the best sports book in town.”
At launch, the William Hill sports book will offer casino guests a range of bets across a diverse sports betting menu that includes football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer and tennis.
The sports book partnership will also provide New Jersey bettors access to William Hill’s wagering technology, including its mobile and online sports book products.
“Ocean Resort Casino is thrilled to partner with William Hill, the best name in sports betting, to establish a truly unique sports betting experience in the center of our resort and in Atlantic City,” said Bruce Deifik, chairman of AC Ocean Walk.
William Hill currently operates 107 race and sports books in Nevada as well as the state’s leading mobile sports betting app. The company serves as the sports book operator at Baha Mar in The Bahamas and the exclusive risk manager for the State of Delaware’s sports lottery.