Action is swift in NCAA struggle

Erin Neff

Monday, March 5, 2001 | 11:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Now that collegiate basketball is heading toward March Madness, the race is on -- not just to crown a national champion, but to control Nevada's betting on the sport.

A legislative panel approved a resolution Friday urging Congress to refrain from enacting any measure that takes away Nevada's right to offer betting on college athletics.

The unanimous decision by the Assembly Judiciary Committee after hours of testimony from lawmakers, gaming representatives and the National Collegiate Athletic Association sets the stage for quick action by the entire Legislature.

Why the rush?

March Madness -- although technically referring to the final 65 teams vying for the NCAA title -- is already in full swing with hyped games this past weekend between Duke and North Carolina and other big conference rivals.

Before the conference tournaments begin later this week, expect the Legislature to give speedy approval to Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins' resolution. Just as quickly, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is again preparing his bill to ban collegiate sports betting in Nevada.

A top NCAA official, Bill Saum, testifying Friday before state lawmakers, said Nevada's legal sports betting is just as wrong as the estimated $350 billion wagered illegally on sports each year.

"We're not against sports betting because it's legal or illegal," said Saum, director of agent, gambling and amateurism activities for the NCAA. "We're against it because it's wrong in regards to how athletics works."

The NCAA's legislation, first introduced by McCain last year, is again expected to bring star coaches to Washington, D.C., to discuss the evil influence of gambling on young student athletes.

Nevada lawmakers and the state's congressional delegation argue that the NCAA has a responsibility to crack down on illegal betting on college campuses, but should leave regulated betting in Nevada alone.

State Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, said he couldn't understand Saum's position, given that illegal gambling continues to explode.

"Isn't that really the 900-pound gorilla of the problem versus the little mouse here in Nevada?" James asked.

Nevada's gaming industry also is preparing strategies to combat the expected introduction of McCain's bill.

On Friday Nevada Resort Association President Bill Bible said Saum's testimony failed to address how the ban would enforce the existing prohibition on illegal wagering on college campuses.

"It is now clearer than ever that Mr. Saum and the NCAA are using Nevada as a scapegoat for their inadequacies," Bible said.