The Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee in New Jersey was yesterday scheduled to vote on whether or not to allow the fate of legalized sports wagering in the state be decided via public referendum
. That vote was delayed, and it has been reported that Harrah's Entertainment Inc. is an opponent to the process.
According to a report on philly.com, NJ sports wagering supporter Senator Raymond Lesniak said that the delay was due to Harrah's desire for "more time to oppose it."
'It,' in this case, is Assembly Bill 817, which would permit "in-person wagering at casinos on results of professional sports events, subject to voter approval." The article explains that the Bill has been held for a June 17 committee vote, and that the full Senate is expected to be voting on the Bill June 21.
"I am really astonished at Harrah's that they would continue to fight against New Jersey's interests in order to protect their monopoly in Nevada on sports betting," the article quoted Lesniak as saying. "They have no shame to openly fight against New Jersey and our needs for additional revenues for their own corporate greed."
When contacted, a spokesperson for Harrah's took exceptions to Lesniak's allegations that it was looking to stall the Bill.
"Harrah's is absolutely not delaying a sports-betting bill in New Jersey," Harrah's Entertainment Inc.'s Vice President of Public Policy and Communications Marybel Batjer said via email. "The entire New Jersey Casino Association opposes internet and sports betting. The letter the association sent Tuesday to the Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee specifically addressed sports betting."
(With files from philly.com)