Editorial: Bull’s-eye painted on small state

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000 | 9:22 a.m.

Congress usually lets the states determine whether or not -- and in what form -- gambling should be permitted. It will be interesting, then, to see what appetite develops in Washington for the legislation being advocated by Sens. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., which would impose a nationwide ban on college sports betting.

A prohibition would be felt just in Nevada, however, because it is the only state that allows gambling on collegiate athletics. There's no denying that sports wagering is big business here. The state Gaming Control Board notes that $2.3 billion was wagered at sports books in 1998, with a sizable amount gambled on college sports. But legal sports wagering in Nevada is a paltry amount of the national total, since it is estimated to be just 2-3 percent of all sports gambling in the United States, the overwhelming majority of which is illegal.

If the federal government really was serious about this issue it would go after illegal sports betting, not shutting down legal operations in Nevada. Besides, if betting on college sports is such a scourge, why aren't law enforcement agencies charging into businesses across the nation to arrest all those who wager on office betting pools, including the popular NCAA college basketball tournament? Like it or not, gambling is popular in this nation and will continue no matter what edict comes from Washington.

Still, it will be difficult for Nevada's congressional delegation to fend off a ban, no matter how sound its arguments are against a prohibition. College legends, such as Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and former North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith, may even get enlisted by the NCAA, which is pushing the prohibition. These two men are icons -- they earned reputations for running successful yet clean programs -- and if they actively promote a ban, people will listen.

The irony is that sports wagering in Nevada, since it is legal, is well regulated and run aboveboard. If scandals had tarnished Nevada's regulation of sports books, it would be understandable if Congress felt the temptation to intervene. But the scandals that have occurred have been in states where sports betting already is illegal. It is hoped that Congress listens to reason -- not emotion -- when assessing this issue. The regulation of gambling is best left to the states.