The Changing Face of New Jersey Gambling
It seems that the face of gambling in America is to undergo some more changes; it is not long since online gambling was introduced in New Jersey, but already the casinos are coming up with new novel ideas for their customers.
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa have said that they received permission for the New Jersey Gambling Commission to host a basketball contest which will see players shoot free throws for money. This is meant to be the first of many skill-based events that give gamblers a better chance of placing successful bets.
However, the participants will be betting against each other rather than the house. Player will buy-in for $20 and compete in 90-second rounds as they try and reach the final. The top four finishers will share $10,000 with the winner receiving $5,000.
The competition is a result of the “New Jersey First” initiative which hopes to adopt and realise new gambling products ahead of other states. The American Gaming Association has said that this tournament will be the first of its kind in the nation.
It will be taking place on March 21st and will involve free throws from a 15 foot distance to a 10 foot high basketball using a professional regulation size ball. Apparently the competition will be open to anyone of legal casino gambling age, even professional athletes.
In other good news for New Jersey gamblers, the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, has said that he supports federal regulation of sports gambling and encourages the adoption of a framework that would allow for states to authorise betting on professional sports.
The 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act prohibits sports gambling with the exception of the states of Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon. For a while now New Jersey has unsuccessfully been trying to introduce sports gambling.
Unfortunately the NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy has said that the NFL is still opposed to sports gambling as has the NHL commissioner Gary Bettmann. Nonetheless, there is some wider support for a change to the law and progress is definitely being made.
It seems that it will be a while before gamblers in New Jersey will be able to legally bet on their favourite teams and sporting competitions. However, thanks to the creativity of The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa they will now be able to take part in special skill based events, such as the basketball competition, and back themselves as winners.
