NJ Asks Appeals Court to Legalize Sports Betting

New Jersey officials say they want to shine a light on sports gambling by legalizing it, arguing in a U.S. appeals court that betting on games can't be eliminated but can be controlled.

Gov. Chris Christie has led the fight to bring sports betting to the state's struggling casinos and racetracks. But a 1992 federal law limits it to Nevada and three other states.

Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson, representing the state, says the federal law discriminates against the other 46 states.

Another former U.S. solicitor general, Paul Clemente, represents the NFL, NCAA and other sports leagues that oppose New Jersey's plan. He says that the integrity of sports is diluted when states condone betting.

Both sides made their case Wednesday in the federal appeals court in Philadelphia.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)