Want access to post press releases? To sign up, use this form. You must be logged in.
Van Drew: A.C. Sports-Book Arrests Strengthen Case for Legal Sports Betting
By droseman
VAN DREW: A.C. SPORTS-BOOK ARRESTS
STRENGTHEN CASE FOR LEGAL SPORTS BETTING
(TRENTON) - The break-up this week of a multi-million-dollar illegal sports-betting ring operated out of one of Atlantic City's casinos strengthens the case for authorizing sports betting at the city's gaming halls, says Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew.
"Legal, carefully regulated sports betting would protect casinos and give Atlantic City a competitive edge against encroaching out-of-state competition," said Van Drew (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). "It is time we took our heads out of Atlantic City's sand and recognized the current prohibition against sports wagering only emboldens criminals. Anyone who believes otherwise is not dealing in reality."
On Wednesday, state Attorney General Anne Milgram announced charges against 23 individuals in connection with a $22 million illegal sports-betting ring operated out of a poker room at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Among those charged in "Operation High Roller" were four men with ties to organized crime in Philadelphia, in addition to several casino employees.
Van Drew is prime sponsor of legislation (A-1046) to allow New Jersey voters to decide whether the state should permit sports betting. If approved by referendum, licensed casinos would be able to accept in-person wagers solely on professional sports. Betting on amateur sports, such as collegiate football, would remain illegal. The bill would make the Casino Control Commission responsible for overseeing sports-betting activities. It also is sponsored by Assemblymen Louis Greenwald (D-Camden), Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden), and Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic).
Van Drew said legalized sports wagering would raise Atlantic City's profile as a gaming destination and protect the resort from increased competition from out-of-state casinos and slot machine parlors.
"Allowing sports gaming in an open, honest, and carefully regulated environment would protect our casinos and benefit the economy of Atlantic City, not the mobsters and criminals who currently hold the sports-book monopoly," said Van Drew.
--30--
Contributors
Wally Edge
Another member of the Star-Ledger buyout group has moved over to the partisan side: Diane Walsh, a veteran reporter who covered Middlesex County, ... >
Bob Torricelli
It's hard to not be concerned these days. We've all witnessed frustration with our institutions before but I never remember anything of this ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Instead of borrowing trillions to waste on make-work governmental projects, stimulate the economy with tax cuts. >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
Michael P. Riccards
In December 2008, the Holy See released a new document dealing with bioethics called “Dignitas Personae.” This “instruction” from the ... >
Joey Novick
Hard to believe we have arrived at the last year of the first decade of the 21st century. Boy, seems like it was just yesterday that Bush was handed ... >
Juan Melli
It's actually come to this: A panel convened by the legislature of the State of New Jersey has concluded that discrimination is not good. Maybe ... >
Carla Katz
As it tends to, history seems to be repeating itself as 240 laid-off workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago revive a decades old tactic -- ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Many columnists write a "year in review" or a "predictions" piece for the New Year, however I decided to refrain from going down ... >
Murray Sabrin
Five Democrat governors including New Jersey’s Jon Corzine and New York’s David Paterson have called upon the incoming Obama administration to ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Healy and Stack and the late Glenn Cunningham
- Kyrillos: 'We need a leader like Chris Christie'
- Lonegan camp says they qualify for matching funds
- Merkt fights perceived Christie canonization in Passaic County
- Reilly joins Codey staff
- Holt decides to run for assembly instead of state senate
- Manzo to unveil slate next week
- Rule him out of District 36 Assembly run, says Scarpelli
- U.S. Rep. Adler assumes seat on financial services committee
- Between Newark and Elizabeth, the election year forces of Hillside begin to mobilize
- Lonegan camp says they qualify for matching funds
- Kyrillos: 'We need a leader like Chris Christie'
- Merkt fights perceived Christie canonization in Passaic County
- Corzine visits troops in Iraq
- U.S. Rep. Adler assumes seat on financial services committee
- Manzo to unveil slate next week
- Palatucci was a natural to become Bush's N.J. connection
- Rule him out of District 36 Assembly run, says Scarpelli
- Reilly joins Codey staff
- Willie Brown dies at 68; served 12 terms as Assemblyman
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- Weinberg loses life savings in Madoff Ponzi scheme
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
Quote of the Day
"He told me he had a long political memory and his door would be closed to me. I told him I had a long political memory and I don't ever remember his door being open." -- Assemblyman Willie Brown (D-Newark), on telling U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg that he was endorsing the Republican candidate, Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian.
Recent Press Releases
- Jan 7 2009
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
The City Boss Becomes the Country Boss ― DICK BENFIELD...MUST READ
Ferriero's support a curse for Kasparian? ― CHARLES STILE...MUST READ
Trenton must stop thinking outside box― DOUG FORRESTER
Three's a crowd, but one man isn't a party― ALFRED DOBLIN
Newspaper Shuns Web, and Thrives― DAN JACOBSON
Murder charge for Prisco― ANGELO PRISCO
Healy: Have yourself a merry little Christmas with my CD― JERSEY JOURNAL
Time for BCDO to clean up its act ― CHARLES STILE
Madoff investors will have trouble getting money back― FRANK LAUTENBERG
OBAMA'S ELECTOR ― ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Syndicate
