LIV Golf Betting A Non-Starter In New Jersey?
The New Jersey Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee voted 3-2 in favor of a bill that prohibits professional sports organizations from hosting sports events funded by Saudi Arabia. The bill's backers say it's to prevent a repeat of the LIV Tour's event that was held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster this summer. Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington have allowed betting on Liv Tour events. New York has not.
New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement allows sports betting. The list of approved events includes Australian rules football, badminton, bandy, billiards, bull riding, curling, cycling, darts, competitive eating contests, handball, lawn bowling, rowing, ruby, sailing, snooker, and table tennis.
Bill S2032 prohibits sports organizations operated by sovereign wealth funds from hosting sports or athletic events in New Jersey. The bill was co-sponsored by former Gov. Richard Codey and Sen. James Beach. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign investment fund is one of the largest in the world. Critics say it's being used to fund various ‘sportswashing” endeavors.
