The Supreme Court has removed the national ban on sports betting. The move likely opens the gates for more of states around the country to get into the sports betting business including Florida.
Look for Florida and other states to move quickly to take advantage of the court ruling. It will take some time to put things in place but there are at least four states who are ready to go now on the gaming front.
Right now New Jersey, Delaware, Oregon and Montana are able to join Nevada in offering betting on sports. There is no question that other states will make the move after they go over the court’s ruling.
Speaking of the high court, in a 6-to-3 vote, they ruled that Congress overstepped its authority in 1992 by banning states that did not already allow sports gambling from entering the lucrative business.
“Just as Congress lacks the power to order a state legislature not to enact a law authorizing sports gambling, it may not order a state legislature to refrain from enacting a law licensing sports gambling,” Justice Sam Alito, writing for the majority, said in his 31-page opinion.
“Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own. Our job is to interpret the law Congress has enacted and decide whether it is consistent with the Constitution. PASPA is not,” he said.
“PASPA ‘regulates state governments’ regulation’ of their citizens. The Constitution gives Congress no such power.”
By repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the Supreme Court opens the door for any state to legalize sports betting.
