NBA OK with Team Owners Having Their Own Casinos and Sports Books | IXGAMES

The National Basketball Association, or NBA, joins NFL in saying that the plan to allow single-game sports betting might corrupt the game. Despite this claim, the NBA has no qualms about team owners operating their own sports books and casinos. They are okay with the casino ownership and does not seem to see any problem with sports gambling of this sort. The reaction of the NBA when it comes to sports gambling and casino ownership was surprising, given that Tim Donaghy, NBA referree, claimed that he got involved with criminal groups because of gambling debts. The NBA is not clear with their position on the issue of sports betting and gambling.  To others, however, it did not come off as a surprise. There are clear motives on what seem to be a confusing stance. Apparently, the league has much to gain from NBA owners getting rich through casinos or sports books, while they get none when someone else places a sports bet. Ed Crumley, OCA sports gaming analyst, believe that this is the case, that the only difference is where the money goes and who takes advantage of it. It is natural to assume that the NBA has a lot to gain when team owners get rich through their casinos and sports books. This is a good point raised by gaming analysts like Ed Crumley. The owner of Sacramento Kings, the Maloof brothers, also manage the famous Palms Casino. They also run a sports book, which takes NBA bets.  According to Crumley, the owner of Sacramento Kings has access to information not available to the public, even if the bet is not on their team.  Somewhere along the line, there might be conflicts of interest and a question on integrity and fairness. NBA responds to this by refusing team owners the right to take bets on games that involve their teams. This seems to be the case with Gary Loveman, president and CEO of Harrah’s Entertainment, who also owns a part of the Boston Celtics. Loveman cannot take bets on Celtics games. This is how the NBA deals with gaming operators who have clear advantage because of team ownership. Seeing no problem with the league, this might casino ownership might very well be a trend among team owners. In fact, Dan Gilbert of Cleveland Cavaliers will be among the latest owners of a casino, should the Ohio ballot measure pass. According to Crumley, it seems that the NBA is not that concerned about the corrupting power of sports betting and gambling. It is quite clear that what they are doing is depriving sports gambling pleasure if they have nothing to gain from it. True or not, the NBA has to make it clear to the public what they are truly concerned about.