North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott last week testified against a bill that would allow sports betting on games played by college teams. The bill has already been passed in the House and now is being considered by the Senate.
The chancellor warned senators that allowing such wagers could result in athletic event tampering and put more pressure on “vulnerable” student athletes. “We would like to protect the student athletes here,” he said.
Rep. Jason Dockter, who authored the bill, argues that sports betting is already rampant and that his bill would simply legalize it. He predicts that legal college wagers would only be available for major games, such as the “March Madness” tournament.
“The whole intent is major college sports and professional sports,” he said.
That contradicts the NCAA, which prohibits gambling on sports within its association even if state law allows it.
