OCEANPORT – Governor Murphy made history on the morning of June 14 as he placed the first two legal sports bets in the history of the state of New Jersey at Monmouth Park Racetrack.
Murphy’s bets solidified a recent assembly bill that will now allow for legalized sports betting in New Jersey.
The legislation, Assembly Bill 4111, “allows wagering at New Jersey casinos and racetracks for certain professional and collegiate sports or athletic events.” This means that casinos or racetracks, with a sports wagering license, are now allowed to accept wagers on the premises or even operate an online sports pool.
Behind Delaware, New Jersey is now the second state in the US to allow wagers on sporting events.
“For the past seven years our heads and hearts were in alignment as we fought to overturn an unlawful and unfair federal law,” stated Gov. Murphy at Monmouth Park. “We knew in our heads that we were right, and we knew in our hearts that we’d win, and we have.”
Murphy remarked that his two bets would be $20 on Germany to win the World Cup and $20 on the New Jersey Devils to win Lord Stanley’s Cup.
“It’s a historic day for Monmouth Park and for the state of New Jersey,” said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park. “We’ve been fighting this fight for more than six years in the courts and now that this day has arrived, and judging by the response from the fans who turned out for this, it’s exciting. Clearly, it’s something the people of New Jersey have been waiting for.”
Murphy signed the bill into law on June 11. In a press release, he stated:
“I’m thrilled to sign Assembly Bill 4111 because it means that our casinos in Atlantic City and our racetracks throughout our state can attract new business and new fans, boosting their own long-term financial prospects. This is the right move for New Jersey and it will strengthen our economy.”
The legislation stipulates that those placing wagers must be at least 21 years of age and wagers cannot be placed on high school or collegiate sporting events.
Also, athletes, coaches, referees, and other persons with potential influence or access to non-public information regarding sporting events, are prohibited from placing bets on sporting events overseen by the league in which they participate.
