Ted Olson, Conservative Icon Who Brought Legal Sports Betting to America, Dies at 84
Ted Olson, a renowned American lawyer who served as U.S. Solicitor General under President George W. Bush, passed away at 84. His distinguished career included arguing over 60 cases before the Supreme Court, with significant impacts on American law and society.
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As a constitutional expert, Olson's most notable achievements included arguing Bush v. Gore in 2000, defending same-sex marriage rights by helping overturn California's Proposition 8, and playing a crucial role in legalizing sports betting across the United States.
His landmark contribution to the gaming industry came through leading New Jersey's challenge against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). After New Jersey voters approved sports betting in 2010, Olson successfully argued before the Supreme Court that PASPA violated the Constitution's anti-commandeering principles and the Tenth Amendment.
The Supreme Court's 7-2 decision in 2018 overturned PASPA, allowing states to legalize sports betting. Olson's winning argument centered on the principle that Congress cannot selectively prohibit states from regulating an activity while allowing others to do so. This ruling led to nearly 40 states and Washington D.C. establishing legal sports betting markets.
During his career, Olson demonstrated remarkable versatility in handling diverse constitutional cases. He experienced personal tragedy when his wife Barbara died in the September 11 attacks aboard American Airlines Flight 77. In 2006, he married Lady Booth, a tax lawyer and Democrat, who survives him.
His legacy encompasses major constitutional victories that shaped American society, from presidential elections to civil rights and sports betting legislation, earning him respect across political lines and establishing him as one of America's most influential constitutional lawyers.