Integrity fears hit US leagues after sport betting ruling
Las Vegas won’t hurt from decision: casinos
WASHINGTON, May 15, (Agencies): A US Supreme Court decision Monday allowing states to legalize sports betting brought integrity worries for sports leagues, the NBA and NFL among those seeking a federal regulatory framework.
Nevada had been the only state where US sports wagering was legal, but several states are ready to pass laws and join them after the ruling overturning a law that had banned other states from such gambling offerings.
That could open the door for as many as 50 different systems without some federal guidance on the issue, something the leagues emphasized.
“We remain in favor of a federal framework that would provide a uniform approach to sports gambling in states that choose to permit it, but we will remain active in ongoing discussions with state legislatures,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
“Regardless of the particulars of any future sports betting law, the integrity of our game remains our highest priority.”
The NBA was hit with gambling issues in 2007 when referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to two charges related to an FBI probe alleging he bet upon NBA games that he officiated. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison. The league responded by banning all sports betting by its referees.
The NFL also backed US lawmakers taking quick action to avoid chaos in multiple states over betting regulations.
“The NFL’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of our game remains absolute,” the NFL said in a statement.
“Congress has long-recognized the potential harms posed by sports betting to the integrity of sporting contests and the public confidence in these events. Given that history, we intend to call on Congress again, this time to enact a core regulatory framework for legalized sports betting.
“We also will work closely with our clubs to ensure that any state efforts that move forward in the meantime protect our fans and the integrity of our game.”
The NFL Players Association vowed to work with other player unions in looking out for the integrity of the sport.
“The Supreme Court’s decision today reaffirms the decision to collaborate with the other sports unions on the issues of player safety, integrity of our games and privacy and publicity rights,” an NFLPA statement said.
“Our union will monitor developments closely and address the implications of this decision with the NFL, state legislators and other relevant stakeholders.”
Major League Baseball said in a statement the ruling would have “profound effects” on the league.
Nevada for years was the only game in town if you wanted to place a bet on your favorite team. Federal law prohibited sports wagering in most states, leaving sports books in the Nevada’s casinos as the only way to bet legally on football, basketball and other sports.
That all changed Monday when the US Supreme Court struck down the 1992 law.
But don’t look for the casinos to turn their ballroom-sized sports betting palaces into Keno lounges. In fact, operators in the nation’s gambling hub have been expecting this day to come and they say they are ready to double down on sports betting.
“Some people look at this as a threat,” Jay Kornegay, the sports book director at the Westgate casino-resort. “Others look at it as an opportunity. We’ve been preparing for this decision for a very long time.”
Sports fans on Monday shrugged off a US Supreme Court ruling that could open the door to legalize sports betting, saying it would likely have little impact on baseball, basketball and football games already subject to off-the-books gambling.
The nation’s top court struck down a 1992 law that widely outlawed gambling on college and professional sports, calling it unconstitutional and likely touching off a rush by gaming businesses and states to cash in on an expected multibillion-dollar industry.