If you’re one of the many who have been frustrated through the years from not being able to bet on the Olympic games, well, your wishes are one step closer to becoming a reality. The Nevada Gaming Control Board recently recommended the state’s gaming commission legalize Olympics wagering when they meet on February 26.
The proposed wagering would only be legal in Nevada for “Olympic sporting or athletic events sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, subject to limitation by the chairman or the chairman’s designee in his sole and absolute discretion.” The commission would be given the final say to choose a different language, such as whether or not gambling would only be allowed on events that don’t involve judges.
The past few years have seen a seismic shift in how sports gambling is viewed by the mainstream and society. Even National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver has taken a public stance for the legalization of sports wagering. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred even agrees it’s time for a real conversation to take place.
Chris McCleary, U.S. Olympic Committee General Counsel, in an email statement said, “We need to ensure that any such step does not threaten the integrity of Olympic sport.” Decades ago, Olympic wagers were legal. However, in 2001, U.S. Senator John McCain worked in an effort to ban wagers on amateur sports such as the Olympics and Little League Baseball, according to USA TODAY.
However, through the years, the U.S. has shifted to professionals for their rosters, thus raising the question of whether or not the Olympics should be considered an amateur contest. One major reason sports books are hoping this passes is to keep books busy during the slow summer months.
Legendary bookmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, who is currently with South Point Casino, said, “We were busy the entire last year because of the World Cup in summer. These are the things that make a difference.” He added, “The walls are crumbling at a bigger pace than it ever was.”
