Sam Gibbons: “last week before a hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee, I voiced my strong opposition to legislation currently…”

“last week before a hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee, I voiced my strong opposition to legislation currently pending before both houses of Congress which would ban college sports betting in just Nevada. While I oppose this legislation, I support the goal of maintaining the integrity of college athletics. But there is simply no evidence, Mr. Speaker, to suggest that the highly regulated and legal sports betting industry in Nevada is responsible in any way for the illegal sports wagering and the point shaving scams that are taking place on our college campuses. Mr. Speaker, I challenge the NCAA, the leading supporter of this legislation, to look in the mirror. Certainly the numerous Final Four sweepstakes promoted by the NCAA and its corporate sponsors encourages illegal wagering on college sports more than the existence of Nevada's strictly regulated sports books. Let us not punish a respected industry for a societal problem. Active and effective enforcement of current laws is the only way to stop point shaving scams and illegal gambling on our college campuses.”