New Jersey Attacks DOJ Wire Act Opinion

New Jersey’s Attorney General has filed a legal brief setting out the state’s opposition to the DOJ Wire Act opinion, a reinterpretation of the 1961 Act, arguing that federal law actually permits most forms of online wagering. The aggressive move from AG Gurbir was filed with a First District Federal Court of Appeals in response to the DOJ’s appeal against a New Hampshire Court decision that struck down its revised stance on the Act.

The DOJ’s revised stance said that the Wire Act’s prohibition applies to all forms of gambling and not just sports betting, thus reversing a 2011 ruling. The opinion came following a request from the DOJ’s Criminal Division to reconsider the 2011 ruling, which paved the way for the roll-out of online gambling in a number of states.

New Jersey has filed the amicus brief to combat this appeal, with Grewal saying that if the DOJ’s reinterpretation ends up being adopted, it has the potential to end New Jersey’s igaming industry. You can read more about New Jersey’s fight against the DOJ Wire Act opinion at iGB North America.