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Senators hope to stop college sports betting
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two senators plan to introduce legislation that
would outlaw betting on college sports, a practice critics say has contributed
to the growing number of gambling scandals on campuses nationwide.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is urging its 1,031 member
colleges and universities to lobby members of Congress to support the bill,
which Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., plan to
introduce Jan. 26.
''We think the kids are very vulnerable,'' said Doris Dixon, NCAA director
of federal relations. ''They're young people; they don't have professional
contracts or careers - $500 or $5,000 to miss that shot or stumble on that
finish line doesn't mean their team won't win, just that they won't win by the
point spread.''
The NCAA says illegal attempts to influence collegiate sports are increasing.
In recent years, gambling scandals have surfaced at Arizona State
University, Northwestern University, the University of Maryland and Boston
College, among others.
''There have been more point-shaving scandals at our colleges and
universities in the 1990s than in every other decade before it, combined,''
Brownback said in a statement. ''These scandals are a direct result of an
increase in gambling on college sports.''
The National Gambling Impact Study Commission last year recommended
banning wagering on college and amateur athletic events. The
Brownback-Leahy bill would bar wagering on college sports, and high
school and Olympic competitions.
Nevada is the only state that allows betting on college sports, but its casinos
and sports books do not take bets on high school sports and do only a very
limited business on the Olympics.
Nevada's gambling industry took in $2.3 billion in sports wagers in fiscal
1999, earning nearly $99 million, according to the state Gaming Control
Board. Jason Been, an oddsmaker at Las Vegas Sports Consultants,
estimated 40% of the betting is on college sports.
Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president of the American Gaming Association, said
banning legal college sports wagering will increase business for illegal
bookies and do nothing to stop gambling scandals on college campuses.
''We agree, totally, that illegal gambling activities on college campuses in this
country is a serious problem,'' said Fahrenkopf, who has consulted with his
Nevada casino members on how to fight the proposed legislation.
He said the NCAA should not expect the government to police its member
schools.
''The NCAA admits that on every major college campus in this country,
there's an illegal student bookie taking bets from students on NCAA events,
Fahrenkopf said. ''Now, my question is, who is best positioned in this
country to do something about it? It's the NCAA.
''We're talking about activities taking place on their campuses, with their
students and their games, and they're trying to point a finger at the legal
sports books in Nevada, where in order to place a bet you have to be
physically present in the state of Nevada, and 21 years of age.''
Congress last considered sports betting legislation nine years ago. The result
was a law signed by President George Bush banning sports wagering in the
47 states where it was not then legal. In addition to Nevada, the exemptions
were for Oregon, which allows betting on pro football through a lottery, and
Delaware, which has not adopted sports betting despite a 1976 public vote
approving it.
New Jersey was given a one-year window to decide whether to sanction
sports gambling in Atlantic City, but the state Legislature did not muster
enough votes to hold a public referendum.
Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., believes New Jersey casinos should be
allowed to offer such wagering, but supports Nevada's practice of banning
bets on games taking place within the state.
''Sports betting is a reality in our country,'' Torricelli said. ''There isn't a high
school locker room or local bar where people do not bet sports.''
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two senators plan to introduce legislation that
would outlaw betting on college sports, a practice critics say has contributed
to the growing number of gambling scandals on campuses nationwide.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is urging its 1,031 member
colleges and universities to lobby members of Congress to support the bill,
which Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., plan to
introduce Jan. 26.
''We think the kids are very vulnerable,'' said Doris Dixon, NCAA director
of federal relations. ''They're young people; they don't have professional
contracts or careers - $500 or $5,000 to miss that shot or stumble on that
finish line doesn't mean their team won't win, just that they won't win by the
point spread.''
The NCAA says illegal attempts to influence collegiate sports are increasing.
In recent years, gambling scandals have surfaced at Arizona State
University, Northwestern University, the University of Maryland and Boston
College, among others.
''There have been more point-shaving scandals at our colleges and
universities in the 1990s than in every other decade before it, combined,''
Brownback said in a statement. ''These scandals are a direct result of an
increase in gambling on college sports.''
The National Gambling Impact Study Commission last year recommended
banning wagering on college and amateur athletic events. The
Brownback-Leahy bill would bar wagering on college sports, and high
school and Olympic competitions.
Nevada is the only state that allows betting on college sports, but its casinos
and sports books do not take bets on high school sports and do only a very
limited business on the Olympics.
Nevada's gambling industry took in $2.3 billion in sports wagers in fiscal
1999, earning nearly $99 million, according to the state Gaming Control
Board. Jason Been, an oddsmaker at Las Vegas Sports Consultants,
estimated 40% of the betting is on college sports.
Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president of the American Gaming Association, said
banning legal college sports wagering will increase business for illegal
bookies and do nothing to stop gambling scandals on college campuses.
''We agree, totally, that illegal gambling activities on college campuses in this
country is a serious problem,'' said Fahrenkopf, who has consulted with his
Nevada casino members on how to fight the proposed legislation.
He said the NCAA should not expect the government to police its member
schools.
''The NCAA admits that on every major college campus in this country,
there's an illegal student bookie taking bets from students on NCAA events,
Fahrenkopf said. ''Now, my question is, who is best positioned in this
country to do something about it? It's the NCAA.
''We're talking about activities taking place on their campuses, with their
students and their games, and they're trying to point a finger at the legal
sports books in Nevada, where in order to place a bet you have to be
physically present in the state of Nevada, and 21 years of age.''
Congress last considered sports betting legislation nine years ago. The result
was a law signed by President George Bush banning sports wagering in the
47 states where it was not then legal. In addition to Nevada, the exemptions
were for Oregon, which allows betting on pro football through a lottery, and
Delaware, which has not adopted sports betting despite a 1976 public vote
approving it.
New Jersey was given a one-year window to decide whether to sanction
sports gambling in Atlantic City, but the state Legislature did not muster
enough votes to hold a public referendum.
Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., believes New Jersey casinos should be
allowed to offer such wagering, but supports Nevada's practice of banning
bets on games taking place within the state.
''Sports betting is a reality in our country,'' Torricelli said. ''There isn't a high
school locker room or local bar where people do not bet sports.''
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