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NCAA's Plan to Slow Gambling a Losing Wager

"Hearings were held in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday in Washington on the honorably named but ill-conceived Student Athlete Protection Act.

"…They've tried bullying newspapers, with little success, into not posting the betting line on sporting events.

"The problems continue.

"And they will continue whether the Student Athlete Protection Act or a similar bill working its way through the Senate, the Amateur Sports Protection Act, becomes law.

"The target of both bills is legalized gambling in Nevada, which by most estimates constitutes about 1 percent of all money wagered on college athletics in this country.

"…One of the NCAA's rallying cries for eliminating legal gambling on college athletics is that it will encourage newspapers to stop running the line. This newspaper runs the Latest Line on its scoreboard page, and it is one of the most popular features on it.

"About eight years ago, this newspaper tried eliminating the line and the complaints were so loud and long that it was returned three days later.

"…Last time we checked, there were about 650 Internet gambling sites. Anybody who wants the betting line will be able to get it, just like anyone who wants to find a bookie should have no problem.

"Bookies nationwide must be quietly smiling these days. If either of the acts becomes law, their business will go up and the opportunities for point-shaving scandals will continue to escalate…"

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