NFL lobbyist defends stance on betting

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 11:23 a.m.

Several members of the Nevada Gaming Commission grilled a National Football League lobbyist Thursday about the NFL's call for an end to gambling on NFL games.

Gerard Waldron, a member of Washington law firm Covington & Burling, was at the commission to discuss the pros and cons of legalizing Internet gaming. His appearance came just one day after the NFL said it was promoting a congressional ban on NFL wagering.

Waldron came out firing, saying the NFL "would rather not have" legalized wagering in Nevada.

"In the view of the NFL, sports and gambling simply don't mix," Waldron said. "It is our view that gambling has the potential to undermine the integrity of the game and cast doubt among fans about the legitimacy of our contests."

These comments riled several commissioners, who suggested fan attendance and viewership would fall without wagering.

"Do you have any idea on what percentage of your fans bet legally or illegally on games?" Commissioner Augie Gurrola asked Waldron. "If all betting were to cease, would that reduce attendance?"

Waldron said no such study had been made. He insisted NFL fans love the game for its excitement, not for the potential to win wagers.

"We're in the entertainment business," Waldron responded. "Betting adds nothing to the excitement or the attendance of the games."

Waldron pointed out that fans across the country excitedly discussed the exploits of their favorite teams each Monday during football season. "That will not change," he said.

"I would think part of that excitement depends on how you bet on the games," Commissioner Arthur Marshall deadpanned, causing the audience to erupt in laughter and applause.

Keeping his composure, Waldron argued the NFL didn't have a choice, since bettors were viewing professional sports as an alternative if collegiate sports wagering was banned as is proposed in a congressional bill.

"That legislation was not originally proposed by the NFL," Waldron said. "The NFL was dragged into that debate once people started saying, 'It's O.K., we can bet on the pros.' We had to answer that."