Ted Olson, renowned American lawyer and former U.S. Solicitor General, passed away at 84. His distinguished career included over 60 Supreme Court cases and significant contributions to the legalization of sports betting in the United States.

As a constitutional expert, Olson played a pivotal role in overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. His successful argument before the Supreme Court centered on the unconstitutional nature of PASPA, which prohibited sports betting nationwide except in Nevada.

Working alongside then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Olson challenged PASPA on grounds that it violated the Tenth Amendment and anti-commandeering principles of the Constitution. The Supreme Court's 7-2 decision in favor of New Jersey opened the door for states to legalize sports betting, leading to its current widespread adoption across nearly 40 states and Washington D.C.

Olson's remarkable legal career included arguing Bush v. Gore in 2000 and successfully challenging California's Proposition 8, which had banned same-sex marriage. His ability to transcend political lines was evident in his work on both conservative and progressive causes.

The constitutional lawyer's core argument in the PASPA case was straightforward yet powerful: Congress cannot force states to prohibit an activity while allowing it in other states. As he stated before the Supreme Court, "If Congress wants to regulate sports wagering, it may and must do so itself — Congress cannot compel states to regulate 'as its agents.'"

Olson is survived by his wife, Lady Booth, whom he married in 2006. His previous wife, Barbara Olson, tragically died in the September 11 terrorist attacks aboard American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon.

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