American Gaming Association calls for tribal support

The struggle to overturn the federal ban on sports betting has pushed the American Gambling Association to call for National Indian Gaming Association’s support to the case.

Sports betting is one of the most demanded gambling segments in the world but the US still has a negative stance regarding the activity. A federal ban on sports betting is preventing some states from authorising it and some administrations are pushing to get the prohibition overturned. Amid these efforts, the American Gaming Association (AGA) has called for the National Indian Gaming Association’s (NIGA) support in order to make the final push.

According to the AGA, New Jersey’s claim against the ban is gaining momentum after passing bills that were rejected by major sports leagues like the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball. Both in 2011 and 2014, New Jersey’s laws were struck down by the Court, but the latter is now under review by the US Supreme Court.

The AGA is strongly supporting New Jersey’s case and has joined forces with NIGA and several other groups and created the American Sports Betting Coalition. The group aims to advocate for parties pushing for the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) to get overturned. Said law is the one that makes sports betting only legal in Nevada, NFL parlay sports betting in Delaware, and game square wagering in Montana.

Sara Slane, AGA senior vice president of public affairs, said that “working with NIGA and the tribal community is a top priority for AGA as we seek an end to the federal ban that’s driving a US$150 billion illegal sports betting market,” as the organisation aims to gather more and more support in order to get the ban lifted.