New Jersey’s multi-year pursuit of legalized sports betting took another hit last week after a federal court ruled against the state law allowing sports betting at casinos and racetracks.

Dennis Drazin, adviser to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which operates Monmouth Park, said the 10-2 ruling by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals did not surprise him. “Based on the oral arguments and my listening to what the judges were asking, I was not overly surprised by the decision,” Drazin said. “I thought the court would most likely say you can’t do it the way that the law reads where you limit to just racetracks and casinos.”

Of the four states currently exempt, only Nevada has large-scale sports betting, while the other three states currently have limited wagering. However, if the state is successful in their pursuit of sports betting a scenario may be in place where the federal prohibition is removed.