NJTHA wins sports betting appeal

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NJTHA) won an appeal in a sports betting case against US sports leagues this week.

US.- The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NJTHA) decided to pursue legal action against US’ top sports leagues in 2018 after their attempts to block Monmouth Park Racetrack from offering sports betting services. In a ruling from Tuesday, an appeal court said that the NJTHA is entitled to damages.

The US Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the association and said that it is entitled to receive money in this legal battle. However, it is still uncertain how much the NJTHA could receive. Initially, the association said the leagues owed as much as US$150 million. But the Third Circuit ruling is in reference to a US$3.4 million bond. That bond was one that the sports leagues featured as security in case they lost the case.

In 2014, the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and NCAA filed a suit to block New Jersey’s sports betting launch attempt. New Jersey had approved regulations to legalise the segment a few days before the leagues blocked the attempt. The leagues argued that New Jersey would be violating the PASPA Act.

The NJTHA said that the sports betting block almost forced Monmouth Park Racetrack to close.

US Circuit Judge Marjorie Rendell said:  “PASPA provided the only basis for enjoining NJTHA from conducting sports gambling. And the Supreme Court ultimately held that law is unconstitutional. Therefore, NJTHA had a right to conduct sports gambling all along. We conclude that NJTHA was wrongfully enjoined and should be able to call on the bond.”