One Percent Is Required as Sports Betting Commission for NBA

Controversy is on the horizon regarding the sports betting commission for NBA. Disagreements have already surfaced. Which is the more rational side: NBA or American Gaming Association?

Before we go on to the controversy at hand, you need to have a little bit of background knowledge about the ongoing New Jersey sports betting case. Basically, New Jersey wants to abolish the 1992 PASPA and make sports betting legal throughout the US. For the latest update on this case, read here. The proposal of sports betting commission for NBA, then, is dependent on the success of New Jersey’s case.

What Is NBA’s Proposal?

NBA are planning ahead for when sports betting becomes legal in the future. According to US online gambling news, NBA proposed to New York State Committee that a 1% share of all bets made on NBA games should be transferred to the league. They call the sports betting commission for NBA as “integrity fees.”

This clearly shows that NBA fully support legalized sports betting in the US. They do not just support betting in casinos or horse tracks only. NBA are also for the possibility to bet on mobiles and kiosks as well.

American Gaming Association Opposes

Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, is pleased about the imminent change of online gambling laws in US and NBA’s support. However, Freeman does not agree with the sports betting commission for NBA.

Geoff Freeman, American Gaming Association

Freeman said to Forbes in an interview “Let’s get real about eliminating the illegal market, protecting consumers and determining the role of government – a role that most certainly does not include transferring money from bettors to multi-billion dollar sports leagues.” He argued that it would affect the bookmakers’ ability to provide fair odds. If this is the case, illegal gambling will still continue.

Counter-Argument on Sports Betting Commission for NBA

As a response to Freeman’s statement, NBA Representative Michael Bass spoke up to defend sports betting commission for NBA. He believes that sports betting would not be possible without foundation of the games and fans of the sports.

Bass said in a statement “Sports leagues provide the foundation for sports betting while bearing the risks that sports betting imposes, even when regulated. If sports betting becomes legal in New York and other states, sports leagues will need to invest more in compliance and enforcement.” Finally, the lawmakers will decide which side of the argument holds more weight.