The Latest: New Jersey Assembly OKs sports betting law

The Latest on the New Jersey Legislature's effort to legalize sports betting (all times local):

3:10 p.m.

The New Jersey Assembly has unanimously approved a bill that would legalize sports betting.

The bill approved Thursday now goes to the state Senate, which also is expected to approve it, and then to the desk of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. It's unclear whether he will sign it into law.

The Assembly amended the bill to allow casinos that own more than 10 percent of a sports team to still offer sports betting, but only on sports other than those in which they own a team. That would let the Golden Nugget back in the game.

Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta owns the Golden Nugget and the NBA's Houston Rockets.

Under the change, the Golden Nugget could still take bets on sports including football, baseball and hockey, but not basketball.

___

1:50 p.m.

New Jersey lawmakers are rethinking a law that would have banned one Atlantic City casino from offering sports betting.

The state Assembly is expected to amend its proposed sports betting law to allow casinos that own more than 10 percent of a sports team to still offer sports betting, but only on sports other than those in which they own a team.

That would let the Golden Nugget back in the game.

Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta owns the Golden Nugget and the NBA's Houston Rockets.

Under the change, the Golden Nugget could still take bets on sports including football, baseball and hockey, but not basketball.

___

12:30 a.m.

New Jersey's proposed sports betting law is heading down to the wire.

Final legislative approval is expected on Thursday, but it's anyone's bet when Gov. Phil Murphy might sign it.

Despite the desire of Atlantic City casinos and state racetracks to begin taking bets Friday morning, it's uncertain when the Democratic governor will let them. He previously voiced support for sports betting before the details of an actual bill were written.

Three weeks ago, New Jersey prevailed in a Supreme Court case that struck down a federal law limiting sports betting to just four states.

Now, any state is free to adopt laws legalizing it.