TRENTON — New Jersey lawmakers are set to expand the ways in which residents can gamble.

The state legislature will vote today on bills that would legalize sports betting and set up a pilot program in which patrons at up to 12 bars or restaurants could place bets on horse races.

But even if the sports betting measure passes and is signed by Gov. Chris Christie, who supports it, New Jersey would still have to go to court to try to overturn a federal ban on sports betting in all but four states.

Only after that law is overturned could New Jerseyans place legal bets on the Jets, Giants or Eagles, among other teams.

Related coverage:

• N.J. lawmakers consider whether to allow bars, restaurants to take bets on horse racing

• Voters split evenly on whether sports betting should be legalized

• Sports betting backed by N.J. voters