On The TunneySide of Sports May 21, 2018 #693 Up next…Legalized Sports Betting
After further review…There is a line in the song “What’s It All About Alfie” composed by Burt Bacharach with lyrics by the late Hal David that says” What’s it all about Alfie?…are we meant to take more than we give?” The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision (6-3) will allow legalized gambling in all states choosing to do so. The decision is basically a state issue. At present, Nevada is the only state that allows legalized gambling, although states that have horse racing allow on-site as well as off-track-betting (OTB), Then too, gambling has been allowed on Indian Reservations in states that prohibit other types of legalized gambling. Well, what is it all about?
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) has said that legalizing state gambling will produce:
- Higher Revenues
- Higher Television Ratings
- Higher Fan Engagement
- Higher Advertising and Sponsorship Deals;
- and, higher everything.
Nielsen ratings will go up! Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, says “the value of teams will double.” Good for owners and possibly for players as the “salary cap” will be increased. The sports leagues will demand a share of this increase as well. Adam Silver, National Basketball Association Commissioner, has already indicated a one-percent (1%) share, yet to be determined.
While it sounds like a win-win arrangement, what’s not to like? “Addiction” has surfaced as a downside. Should the U.S. Supreme Court and others be concerned about the welfare of its citizens, or is that purely an individual choice? Psychologists are weighing-in by predicting that with the opportunity to “make some ‘easy money,’” people without an excess of funds will see this as not so much of a gamble, but more of using their “knowledge” to successfully predict the outcome of games. As a reminder, one might observe the magnificent Las Vegas casinos that were built mostly by players’ monies lost at the gaming tables.
The issue of the integrity of sports has always been a concern to those responsible for maintaining a “level playing field.” Pete Rose, former Major League Baseball star, has been banned for life for betting on games while he was an active player and coach. Tim Donaghy, former NBA referee was fired, and jailed, for fraud and giving inside information to gambling friends in games that he officiated. Will current players and coaches be allowed to bet on games (other than the ones in which they are playing) while currently employed? These and other questions and concerns have yet to be discussed and determined.
Will you log-in your beliefs on the issue of legalized gambling?
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