KIAMESHA LAKE — The U.S. Supreme Court's decision yesterday that lifted the federal ban on sports betting was welcomed by Resorts World Catskills.

The court, by a 6-3 vote, upheld a 2014 New Jersey law promoted by then Governor Chris Christie to allow sports betting at casinos and racetracks there.

In a statement, Resorts World Catskills Executive Vice President Charles Degliomini said:

“The SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) decision is good news given Resorts World Catskills is one of the few New York State venues that can be authorized to host sports book betting. The ruling has the potential to transform how Americans bet on sports. Gaming industry experts estimate Americans spend $150 billion a year betting on sports events. All but about 3% of this is spent through illegal operators. This ruling will change all that.”

Late last year, while giving reporters a tour of the complex, Degliomini noted that the Doubletop Bar & Grill would eventually be utilized if and when sports betting was legalized.

But, the New York State Gaming Commission would have to issue regulations for all the state's casinos before any sports betting could begin. It was unclear at press time, though, when the Commission planned to enact those regulations and attempts to reach a spokesperson for the commission were unsuccessful.

Michael W. Beford, vice president of food and beverage at the casino complex, who oversees all the RW Catskills restaurants but could not be reached for comment at press time.

All the major North American professional sports leagues and the NCAA have opposed legalized sports betting, which was prohibited by federal law in 1992. Former Knick great Bill Bradley was a sponsor of that bill while serving as U.S. Senator in New Jersey.

Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, said: "The legalization of sports gambling requires an important policy choice, but the choice is not ours to make. Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each state is free to act on its own. "