Judge to decide Friday afternoon whether to stop New Jersey from allowing sports betting

A federal judge is deciding whether to grant a request from the four major U.S. professional sports leagues and the NCAA to stop New Jersey from allowing legalized sports betting.

Judge Michael Shipp is scheduled to announce his decision at 4:30 p.m. Friday in a Trenton courtroom. The leagues have asked for a temporary injunction to stop betting from starting.

Republican Gov. Chris Christie signed a law on Oct. 17 that effectively repeals the state's ban on sports wagering.

Monmouth Park racetrack had said it planned to accept bets starting Sunday. No other racetracks or casinos have revealed plans to offer sports betting.

The leagues told the judge they will be irreparably harmed if the state's casinos and racetracks were permitted to allow sports betting.