Gamers hope dispute between GOP senators will derail NCAA bill

David Strow

Thursday, March 23, 2000 | 11:01 a.m.

John McCain

The Arizona senator introduced on Wednesday a bill that would ban wagering on college sports and immediately set hearings for the bill. The hearings, which will be held before the Senate Commerce Committee that McCain chairs, are scheduled to begin Wednesday.

Nevada's legislators and lobbyists are expressing optimism that a simmering feud between Arizona Sen. John McCain and the Republican leadership in the Senate could derail efforts to ban wagering on collegiate sports, at least this year.

On Wednesday, McCain introduced a bill that would ban such wagers, dubbing it the "Amateur Sports Integrity Act." He immediately set hearings for the bill on March 29 before the Senate Commerce Committee, which he chairs.

The hearing will occur a few days before the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball championship tournament, virtually guaranteeing news media attention.

"It clearly elevates the national profile (of the sports wagering ban)," said Sen. Richard Bryan. D-Nev. "McCain is a national political figure, and one that has riveted the national media on him. So if this hearing goes forward, there will be more press there than spectators."

In a statement, McCain -- formerly considered to be friendly to the gaming industry -- claimed betting on collegiate events "corrupts the integrity of competition and places our young athletes at the mercy of bookies and bettors."

"Published point spreads, which drive the illegal betting industry, have corrupting tentacles nationwide," McCain said. "They feed this massive cash business, threaten honest competition, and send a message to our young people that betting on sports is OK."

But in introducing the bill, McCain stepped on the toes of Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hatch's committee was set to hold hearings on a similar sports betting bill, possibly as early as April.

A furious Hatch, who wasn't informed the bill was coming, immediately retaliated by invoking a seldom-used Senate rule that immediately freezes the McCain bill and moves it to the Senate calendar, rather than McCain's committee. Without the support of the Senate leadership, McCain's bill could remain stalled there indefinitely.

"This is a short session because of the election," said Wayne Mehl, Washington representative for the Nevada Resort Association. "You're stretching out the time on this thing, and it will make it much more difficult to get it done in the short session."

Hatch and McCain, both former contenders for the Republican presidential nomination, clashed heatedly during their campaigns.

"There's no good feeling between those two anyway," Mehl said. "I'd be surprised had (Hatch) not attempted to protect his territory."

Bryan said it was possible McCain could retaliate by taking measures to delay the bill before Hatch's committee.

"Time in on our side," Bryan said. "This jurisdictional battle could conceivably be helpful to us. (McCain) could still hold hearings in general, but his intent was to report a bill immediately after the hearing."

Since elections are scheduled for November, the Senate hopes to wrap up its 2000 session by Labor Day. Though betting ban proponents could easily try again in 2001, a delay would give Nevada's congressional delegation and lobbyists more time to drum up opposition to the bills.

McCain's bill is essentially identical in content to legislation introduced in February by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. However, McCain wrote the bill as an amendment to the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act of 1978 -- a move that would give his committee jurisdiction.

McCain also tacked on an anti-steroid provision, requiring federal agencies to fund research into steroid detection, as well as anti-steroid education aimed at amateur athletes. This provision, observers say, solidifies Commerce Committee jurisdiction over the bill, and could conceivably attract support for the legislation.

Most on Capitol Hill believe McCain, coming off the heels of his unsuccessful insurgent campaign for the Republican nomination, is attempting to build on his public image as a reformer. By moving the legislation to his committee, McCain would have more direct influence over shaping and promoting it.

"(McCain) has obviously made commitments to do a major reform package of legislation," Mehl said. "This may be what he considers the easiest to start with."