Despite objections from major league sports officials, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill passed this week in the Legislature that would partially repeal New Jersey's prohibition on sports wagering.

It's possible the state could see some legal sport gambling begin as soon as late this month, although sports executives are likely to again pursue an injunction.

An official at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas feels the expansion of legal sports wagering across the country may help sports books in Sin City.

"Just like the expansion of gambling across the United States hasn't hurt Las Vegas, I don't think this will," said David G. Schwartz, the director for the Center of Gaming Research at UNLV told News 3 on Saturday. "I think people are still going to want to come to Las Vegas for the big games in March because we've got that party atmosphere that no place else has. If anything, it might get more people used to legal sports betting and get more people coming to Las Vegas for the big games."

Some Nevada sports book operators say they worry if legal sports gambling becomes a trend, it could eventually receive approval in adjacent California.

"California, I think, would be a problem because that is such a close state and so many people who come to Las Vegas come from California," Schwartz said. "But you've also had casino gaming there for a while and the Strip is still going strong. I think what they have in Las Vegas is such a critical mass of great sports books and great action around the time of the big games that people would still come here."

No matter what happens, Schwartz appears to be betting on Las Vegas to stay a step ahead.

"I think it could be a benefit no matter where it expands to because Las Vegas has always been good at adapting to new competition and doing new things to raise the bar, so there's no reason to think that they won't continue to do that."

Christie said he is confident sports betting will happen in New Jersey.

"As I've said all along, I am a strong proponent of legalized sports wagering in New Jersey," he said in a statement. "But given earlier decisions by federal courts, it was critical that we follow a correct and appropriate path to curtail new court challenges and expensive litigation. I believe we have found that path in this bipartisan legislative effort."

Professional sports leagues and the NCAA have gone to court to prevent New Jersey's racetracks and casinos from taking sports bets.

Schwartz says he expects more wrangling in New Jersey on the matter.

"The NFL is definitely against it; the other leagues seem like they may be on board with some expansion of sports betting, theoretically, but probably not right now," he said.

The leagues and the state attorney general are awaiting a Nov. 21 court date in U.S. District Court. The attorney general sought a clarification of a sports betting injunction. Christie said he believes the bill signed Friday adheres to federal law and responds to the issues raised in federal courts.

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