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NCAA and pro sports leagues file federal lawsuit against New Jersey state officials to stop sports gambling

The NCAA and the four major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL and the NHL) today filed a complaint against New Jersey state officials in federal court in Trenton, NJ seeking to stop the state from implementing sports betting on pro and college games.

The leagues and the NCAA assert that the state’s recently announced decision to offer sports betting violates long-standing federal law.  The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (“PASPA”) became law in 1992 and prohibits states from operating a lottery or betting scheme based on pro or college games.  This law is also known as the “Bradley Act” for its proponent, then New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley.

The law provided a one-year window, from January 1, 1993 to January 1, 1994, during which New Jersey was afforded the opportunity to authorize sports betting. The state declined that opportunity and has been barred by federal law from conducting sports gambling.

A copy of the complaint is attached.