Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Proud to Be Inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame

The Sports Betting Community Hall of Fame launched in 2016 and its purpose is to offer recognition to people who have influenced the industry and created a legacy in the sports betting sector.

According to the Sports Betting Hall of Fame, the ideal candidate has accomplished outstanding results in one or more of the following categories:

• Long experience in the industry
• An innovative product or marketing introductions
• Changes that significantly improve the process or product
• A leading role in promoting and raising awareness on the importance of sports betting
• Promoting sports betting awareness as a responsible member of the business community

Why will Chris Christie be inducted into the SBC Hall of Fame?

Former New Jersey Governor Christ Christie fits the Hall of Fame description as he has publicly advocated for legalizing sports betting outside of Nevada. During his 8 years in office, Chris Christie made it a priority to challenge the federal ban on sports betting through PASPA. His efforts have carved the path for other states to also initiate processes to legalize sports betting, when in May 2018 the Supreme Court ruled the ban on sports betting to be unconstitutional. So far, sports betting is legal in 6 states and there are more to follow.

According to Forbes, Christie is still involved in the sports betting debate. At last month’s National Council of Legislators from the Gaming States Conference in New Orleans, the Governor stood against a bill that would allow the federal government to control and regulate sports betting.

Governor Christie feels proud to be considered for the SBC Hall of Fame. He comments: “Sports betting was held back for too long by the unfair federal laws, so I was more than happy to be the first to make a stand against them. I’m very proud and gratified to be recognized by the sports betting industry in this year now that PASPA is a distant memory.”

Chris Christie is both the first person from the United States and the first politician to be inducted into the SBC Hall of Fame. More news on who are the other inductees will be made public by the SBC in the upcoming weeks.

The ceremony will take place on April 25^th, 2019 at Sky Room in Manhattan as a part of the closing party for the biggest sports betting conference in the U.S – Betting on Sports America.

Who else is in the SBC Hall of Fame?

Other famous members of the SBC’s Hall of Fame are pioneers in the sports betting sector.

One of them is Mark Blandford, the founder and former chairman of SportingBet, one of the largest bookmaking operators and a pioneer in online gambling. Another honorable mention is Carsten Koerl, Founder and CEO of Sportradar. According to Sports Business Daily, only last year Sportradar brought on as investors Michael Jordan, Mark Cuban and Ted Leonsis with $44.2 M in between the three parties.