A poll released by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind ahead of a crucial referendum in New Jersey seems to indicate that its citizens want a change in the law to allow sports betting within the state. The New Jersey state constitution currently outlaws betting on professional sports games in the state however the new poll seems to show that a majority of residents – 52 percent – approve the change to the law. Only around 32 percent of New Jersey citizens believe that the ban should continue and many see it as a great revenue making venture.

However a simple passing of the non-binding referendum will not be enough to change the law in the state and, if passed, it will be up to the state legislature to overturn the federal ban on sports gambling. Even with Atlantic City, many people have been frustrated at being unable to place a bet on a major sports game owing to the legal code of the state however should the majority of the electorate be in favour of such a move then it is likely to be passed into law.

However the law will not change in relation to college sports – such as football – as a ban on being able to bet on these games within the state will continue. Sports betting has been illegal in the state since the federal ban in 1992 and political wrangling and squabbling have been attributed to the ban being in place for so long however the new poll and referendum looks set to change the law.