States Should be Allowed to Compete on Sports Betting

At the end of its last term, the Supreme Court voted to strengthen the Constitution in a 6-3 vote that was a long overdue decision on states sports betting… a vote to end a law that said “some states are more equal than others.” The question before the court was a 1992 law that banned states from regulating and taxing sports betting except in Nevada and three other states.

The court ruled instead that all 50 states have to be treated the same, and that the federal government could not tell the states what to legalize or ban. While gambling can be a contentious issue, this makes it even more appropriate for states to decide, rather than a “one size fits all” federal approach.

It is a great victory for federalism, the mechanism that limits the size and scope of government by requiring 50 states to compete to provide the best and lowest cost government. States compete for citizens who are free to move. States compete for business investment that moves quickly towards competent government, serious rule of law, lower taxes, and less regulation.

Now the House Judiciary Committee plans to look into the issue of states sports betting and will be happy to find that the court decision is not only a victory for restoring the Constitution, federalism, and the equality of the states, but it can also create jobs and increase American wealth.

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