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A ban on sports betting in most US states could be overturned by a case being considered by the Supreme Court.

The state of New Jersey is challenging the 1992 federal law that largely outlawed sports gambling, describing the matter as a "states' rights" issue.

The case, which began on Monday, comes after New Jersey residents voted in 2011 to legalise sports betting.

A group of sports leagues opposes betting on games, which they fear will encourage match-fixing.

Lower courts have consistently ruled against New Jersey, saying it is within the federal government's power to limit a state's policy options.

The Supreme Court opted to hear the case nevertheless amid a wider shift in American attitudes toward gambling.

Before 1976, Nevada - home of the Las Vegas strip - was the only state with legal casinos outside Native American lands.

But in recent years, states hungry for tax revenue in the wake of the financial crash have enacted a rash of looser gambling laws, collecting hefty levies on gambling revenue.

There are now 24 states with commercial casinos - roughly double the number a decade ago.

Despite the official ban, which already exempts Nevada and three other states, illegal sports betting is rife in the US.

Americans place about $154bn in illegal sports bets every year, according to the American Gaming Association.

as an "utter failure" earlier this year.

It says the UK is an example of a country where sports betting is commonplace.

"It's time for Washington to stop depriving states of critical tax revenue and allow them to reap the rewards of a regulated market," Mr Freeman said.

More than 15 states filed papers in support of New Jersey in the case. A handful have already passed laws to authorise sports betting in the event of a change.

On Monday, as lawyers started arguments for the Supreme Court, some more conservative judges appeared sceptical of the existing law.

The court is expected to make a decision in June 2018.

"If we are successful here we could have bets being taken in New Jersey within two weeks of a decision by the court," said outgoing New Jersey governor Chris Christie after attending the court hearing. "We're prepared in New Jersey - we're ready to go."

Regardless of the court's final ruling, Congress may also take up the debate amid broader discussion about online gaming and e-sports.

Even some of the professional sports leagues have started to change their positions on the question of gambling.

Adam Silver, National Basketball Association commissioner, supported a federal law that would create a uniform set of rules across the US. "Times have changed," he wrote .