It has been reported that the United States Department of Justice has declared that it will intervene in the lawsuit brought against the State of New Jersey by major North American sporting leagues regarding the state's push to get legalized sports wagering up and running in the state.
A Bergen Record article by John Brennan has cited United States Department of Justice Senior Trial Counsel Peter Phipps as writing that the U.S. Government is giving "notice of its intent to intervene in this action to defend the constitutionality of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992."
Brennan's piece states that New Jersey politicians are not surprised by the announcement.
“This development, while not particularly helpful, is not surprising, and it does not impact our legal strategy in any way,” NJ Senator Ray Lesniak was quoted as saying. “We will continue to prepare for the February 14th oral argument (in Trenton), including by coordinating our arguments with counsel for the other defendants.”
(With files from the Bergen Record)