At the NCAA’s annual convention last week, NCAA President Mark Emmert discussed the potential impact sports betting could have on college sports.
According to a report from the Associated Press, Emmert said: “Sports wagering is going to have a dramatic impact on everything we do in college sports.
“It’s going to threaten the integrity of college sports in many ways unless we are willing to act boldly and strongly.”
Although Emmert highlighted his concern he failed to address the legal wagering on NCAA sports that has been going on in Nevada and other countries across the world.
Emmert also failed to mention offshore sportsbooks that operate illegally as well as illegal bookmakers that operate in the US.
Sara Slane, the American Gaming Association’s Senior Vice President of Public Affairs responded to Emmert’s claim by saying: “Mr Emmert is failing to address, or choosing to ignore the decades-old, massive illegal market for sports betting in this country – which includes betting on collegiate athletics – that continues to thrive.
“Surely the NCAA can’t support the status quo.”
Slane went onto suggest that the integrity of the sports and the protection of those involved can only be achieved with legalization and regulation of the sports betting market.
Slane added: “The AGA continues to support the expansion of legal, regulated sports wagering. In the eight states where sports betting is now legal, consumers have a viable, safe alternative to place bets and benefit from the protection of stringent oversight by experienced gaming regulators.
“Without legalization, none of these protections exist and we leave game and bet integrity, consumers and athletes vulnerable.”
