NJ could strike sports betting ban on team owners

Lawmakers are considering lifting a ban that prevents team owners from accepting sports bets at their facilities.

US.- New Jersey lawmakers are reportedly interested in lifting a ban that prohibits owners of sports teams from accepting legal bets on sports at their facilities. If lifted, Golden Nugget Atlantic City casino could begin accepting bets on professional basketball.

A bill was introduced on Monday that would allow an owner to accept bets on an event where other teams participate, Press of Atlantic City reports. Tilman Fertitta, owner of the casino, also owns the NBA team Houston Rockets. This means that people at Golden Nugget Atlantic City would be able to bet on a sports event if Houston Rockets isn’t involved.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee from New Jersey held a hearing on the subject yesterday, and a companion bill was also introduced in the Senate and referred to the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.

As per New Jersey’s current sports betting regulations, Golden Nugget is banned from accepting bets on NBA games. If approved, the bill would allow Golden Nugget and its online partner BetAmerica to accept bets on NBA games that do not involve the Houston Rockets. This would be the same scenario that Fertitta faces in Nevada, where the casino is prohibited from accepting bets on games involving his team.