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The Associated Press, Wed 28 Jun 2000 CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A longtime ban on casinos taking bets on Nevada's university teams could be eliminated as Gov. Kenny Guinn seeks to quiet congressional foes of wagering on college sports.
``Removal of the regulation will be discussed in the near future,'' said Nevada Gaming Commission chairman Brian Sandoval. ``It is ripe for reconsideration.''
Sandoval talked this week with Guinn, state Gaming Control Board chairman Steve DuCharme and board member Bobby Siller on strategy to stop congressional legislation to outlaw collegiate sports betting.
A bill banning betting on college sports, sought by the NCAA, may be dead in Congress this session, but Guinn is looking for ways to bury the antigambling legislation forever.
Congressional proponents suggest Nevada is hypocritical because it bans betting on the state's college teams but allows wagering on all other schools. They say Nevada protects its own athletes against possible corruption but not those in the rest of the country.
Sandoval said the state regulation banning betting on Nevada teams is 50 years old. It was adopted when there were only about 200,000 people in the state and there was a closeness with the athletic teams. There was a perception, he said, that insider information would be available.
Sandoval said he's confident the present state regulatory system can guard against Nevada teams being involved in point-shaving or throwing games, if the betting ban was lifted. The chairman noted that it's not legal to bet on in-state teams in Nevada, but those who want to place wagers can make them in Mexico or the Caribbean.
``Removal of the regulation will be discussed in the near future,'' said Nevada Gaming Commission chairman Brian Sandoval. ``It is ripe for reconsideration.''
Sandoval talked this week with Guinn, state Gaming Control Board chairman Steve DuCharme and board member Bobby Siller on strategy to stop congressional legislation to outlaw collegiate sports betting.
A bill banning betting on college sports, sought by the NCAA, may be dead in Congress this session, but Guinn is looking for ways to bury the antigambling legislation forever.
Congressional proponents suggest Nevada is hypocritical because it bans betting on the state's college teams but allows wagering on all other schools. They say Nevada protects its own athletes against possible corruption but not those in the rest of the country.
Sandoval said the state regulation banning betting on Nevada teams is 50 years old. It was adopted when there were only about 200,000 people in the state and there was a closeness with the athletic teams. There was a perception, he said, that insider information would be available.
Sandoval said he's confident the present state regulatory system can guard against Nevada teams being involved in point-shaving or throwing games, if the betting ban was lifted. The chairman noted that it's not legal to bet on in-state teams in Nevada, but those who want to place wagers can make them in Mexico or the Caribbean.