Delaware is one of four states -- Montana, Nevada and Oregon are the others -- that had forms of
sports betting grandfathered in under a 1992 federal law outlawing sports wagering nationally.
Delaware officials predict an additional $55 million in annual revenue for state coffers, if its sports
betting plan proceeds. Sports wagering would be permitted only at the state's three racinos (racetracks
and casinos) -- Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway.
The nation's four major professional sports leagues -- Major League Baseball, the National Basketball
Association, the National Football League and the National Hockey League -- oppose the move,
saying broad-scale legalized betting could create incentives to cheat and fix games.
The four pro leagues along with the NCAA filed suit in Delaware federal court July 24 in an attempt
to block the plan.
The sports betting market is lucrative.
An estimated $380 billion a year is illegally gambled on sports. About $90 million is bet on the Super
Bowl alone.
Hoping to take a chunk of the betting pie -- and fend off threats to the nation's second-largest
gambling market, after Nevada -- New Jersey state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, filed suit in Trenton
federal court in March to eliminate the federal sports-betting ban. Gov. Jon Corzine supports the
action.
The prime beneficiary would be Atlantic City, a convenient getaway for Staten Islanders.
Each day, hundreds of borough residents board buses that whisk them to the south Jersey casinos.
Most are senior citizens, who enjoy the slot machines and gaming tables, said Laura Cagnetta, sales
manager for the Port Richmond-based Atlantic Express, which runs buses seven days a week to
Atlantic City.
Based on such clientele, she doesn't anticipate an uptick in ridership to Atlantic City if sports betting
is legalized.
"It might help a charter [bus]company," Ms. Cagnetta said, adding that bars or other groups could
sponsor New Jersey junkets to wager on big games.
Assuming the Nevada model holds true -- sports betting comprises only 1.2 percent of that state's
gaming revenue -- Peters, the CSI professor, said Staten Islanders aren't likely to flock to Delaware or
Atlantic City in droves.
But they might head the 100 miles or so south to lay down a few bucks for major sporting events such
as the Super Bowl, World Series and the NCAA's Final Four tournament.
"It might serve as a catalyst at certain times of the year, but I don't think it would have a huge
impact," he said.
Donovan, the district attorney, said legalized gambling will never eliminate illicit wagering.
For one thing, bookmakers offer better odds than the state. And, in many instances, it's more
convenient to bet with the local bookie than travel to a legitimate establishment.
Page 59 of 179
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