A New Jersey Assemblyman is pointing to a record Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas as proof Atlantic City should get into the sports gambling business, according to PolitickerNJ.com.
Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) argued Monday that the expected $100 million handle by Las Vegas sports books along with the potential economic impact on the state's sagging economy should be a wake-up call that it's finally time for Atlantic City to get into the game.
"Even without having ever hosted an actual Super Bowl game, Las Vegas is again poised to be a big winner from the ultimate football weekend," said Greenwald, sponsor of legislation to legalize sports betting in Atlantic City. "Atlantic City's economy similarly could benefit from a flood of football fans putting down a few bucks on the game and spending money on hotels and dinners."
The Assembly is scheduled to vote Thursday on the bill Greenwald co-sponsored, which would allow Atlantic City's casinos to accept in-person wagers solely on professional sports. If the bill passes and is signed by the Governer, New Jersey citizens would be allowed to vote on the issue in a General Election referendum held in November.
The state also would have to successfully overturn a federal ban on sports gambling in New Jersey. Nevada is currently the only state that allows sports wagering.
"Legal sports betting would strengthen Atlantic City's hand as the East Coast's preeminent gaming destination in the face of stiff competition from nearby slot-parlors," said Greenwald. "It may be the legal equivalent of a 'Hail Mary' pass, but fighting for legalized pro-sports gaming is a play New Jersey can't afford to pass up."