The NBA has formally requested a set of laws that could persuade professional sports leagues to push for national legalized betting on games, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Dan Spillane, attorney for the NBA, testified before a New York State Senate committee recently and reportedly made it clear what it would cost for the league to become a partner in legalizing the matter for fans.
Following from Brian Windhorst of ESPN:
The NBA wants 1 percent of every bet made on its games in addition to other regulations, a request that could create massive revenue for the NBA and other sports leagues in the future.
Spillane also said the NBA wants more widespread access to gambling for its fans, pushing for bets to be made legal on smartphones and kiosks and not just inside casinos and racetracks. That would increase the amount of wagering and, in turn, create more revenue for the league under its desired plan.
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The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a New Jersey-based case that could clear the way for individual states to legalize sports betting at casinos and racetracks. Oral arguments took place last month, and a decision is expected in the spring. As that process plays out, a number of states are putting legislation in place to act if the Supreme Court’s ruling overturns the federal ban on widespread sports betting outside Nevada.
“We have studied these issues at length,” Spillane said in his statement to the lawmakers. “Our conclusion is that the time has come for a different approach that gives sports fans a safe and legal way to wager on sporting events while protecting the integrity of the underlying competitions.”
While this process is long overdue, fans must rejoice at how NBA betting is finally being discussed by all sides at length. More details on the potential situation will likely emerge as the year moves forward.
