Since a landmark Supreme Court decision last June legalized sports betting across the nation, New Jersey — the state that brought the case — has seen $2.64 billion in wagers pour in at its sportsbooks.
With Jersey casinos and tracks taking in nearly $314 million worth of sports bets in April, that makes six months in a row the state has collected more than $300 million worth of sports wagers, according to the state Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who spearheaded the effort to get sports betting legalized in his state, said making it “easy for people to sign up and to participate” was essential in competing with the illegal offshore companies that are still taking bets.
“Sports betting without question has provided a major boost to the local economy, and we believe this excitement will translate into increased revenue and tourism throughout the summer,” Caesars Entertainment regional president Kevin Ortzman told The Associated Press.
In addition to New Jersey, sports betting is currently legal in seven other states: Nevada, Delaware, Mississippi, West Virginia, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
And, though not legal yet, sports gambling is set to be legalized in New York, Arkansas, Montana, Washington, D.C., Indiana and Iowa in short order.
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