The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars states from authorizing sports betting.
The court ruled that the law violates the principle of dual sovereignty by commandeering the states. Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it doesn’t do so, states are free to legalize it, Justice Samuel A. Alito wrote in the majority opinion.
Alito’s opinion was joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Elena Kagan and Neil M. Gorsuch. Justice Stephen G. Breyer joined part of the opinion.
Though the case involved New Jersey’s attempt to authorize sports betting, other states are expected to try to follow its lead, the Washington Post reports.
