SCOTUS to review bid for legal sports betting

WASHINGTON » The Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to take up New Jersey’s bid to allow sports betting at its casinos and racetracks, a case that could lead other states to seek a share of the lucrative market.

The justices will review a lower court ruling against the state, which is hoping to capture some of the estimated $150 billion that is illegally wagered on sports each year.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and supporters in the state Legislature have tried for years to legalize sports gambling to bolster the state’s casino and horse racing industries. The casino industry has lately been doing better.

Christie said Tuesday in Trenton at an unrelated event that he was encouraged by the court’s decision to take the case up.

“We’re not declaring victory but at least we’re in the game and that’s where we want to be,” Christie said.