Metro

New Jersey takes over $318M sports bets, more than Nevada

While New York lawmakers waffled over legal sports betting, New Jersey was raking in the dough, according to a new report.

In May, the Garden State took in more wagers than any other state — including gambling mecca Nevada, according to ESPN.

New Jersey bookmakers accepted $318.9 million in sports bets for the month, compared to $317.4 million out west, the outlet reported, citing state gaming commission figures.

Jersey went all in on sports betting right after the Supreme Court struck down a ban on the pastime in May 2018.

But Empire State legislators dragged their feet on creating a framework for legal sports betting in New York, losing out on tens of millions of dollars in potential tax revenue in the process.

“It’s our money, it’s money we could’ve recouped here — that’s money that could’ve gone to our children,” state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D–Queens) fumed about the cash flowing to New Jersey coffers.

The State Gaming Commission finally passed rules governing sports betting earlier this month, but the regulations have still not taken effect, because the commission must still conduct compliance inspections at the four upstate casinos where sports betting will be allowed.

Eventually, New Yorkers will be able to place bets in person at those gambling parlors — but they won’t be able to wager from their phones like New Jerseyans.

“I’m not surprised at all,” sports-betting booster and former New Jersey state Sen. Raymond Lesniak told ESPN. “I’ve been saying all along that the Northeast and New Jersey is a hotbed of sports activity. We love our sports. We are well on our way, in overall gaming, to becoming the Las Vegas of the East Coast.”