New Jersey's proposed sports betting law moved another step closer to approval Thursday.

A state Assembly panel approved the proposal and is sent it to the full Assembly, where a vote could come next week.

The law would let New Jerseyans bet on professional and collegiate sporting games from their home computers or smart phones, as well as at casinos and horse tracks.

In a non-binding referendum last month, voters by a 2-to-1 margin said they wanted legalized sports betting in New Jersey.

But even if the law is enacted, a federal ban on sports betting in all but four states would have to be overturned by the courts or repealed.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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