A lawsuit filed in federal court by New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak, D-Elizabeth, seeks to change 1992’s Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The law makes it illegal to place sports bets in all but four states, those being Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware.  Lesniak’s lawsuit asserts that the law is unconstitutional, as it gives the four states special treatment.  Lesniak believes the legalization of sportsbook betting is an untapped source of tax revenue the governemnt is missing out on — a belief share by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who is considered the champion of sports bettors in the federal government.  ”Gambling is going on here, sports gambling,” Lesniak told the Associated Press. “Rather than supporting thousands of jobs, economic activity and tourism, the federal ban supports offshore operators and organized crime.”

Estimates on the amount of revenue raised by legalized sports gambling range from $700 million to $4 billion annually. That’s a lot of money.

But seriously, can the federal government uphold a law that says gambling is OK in 4 states but not others?  What would the rationale be?  Is it less of a sin to gamble in Vegas than Colorado?  C’mon, anyone can see that this is ridiculous.

Sports betting goes on all the time.  Who hasn’t be offered a chance to purchase a square for a Superbowl game?  Heck, fantasy football is a type of gambling.  I agree with State Senator Raymond Lesniak that a decision should be made.  Either make Sports betting illegal everywhere in the U.S. or make it legal everywhere.  The “in-between” legislation is confusing and doesn’t accomplish anything that even remotely resembles a morale high ground.