NCJ Number
45593
Date Published
1975
Length
386 pages
Annotation
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SPORTS ESTABLISHMENT AND OTHERS GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PRO'S AND CON'S OF LEGALIZING SPORTS BOOKMAKING IN TESTIMONY BEFORE A COMMISSION CHARGED WITH REVIEWING STATE AND FEDERAL GAMBLING LAWS.
Abstract
IN HIS INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT, THE COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON POINTS OUT THAT FUNDS FROM ILLEGAL GAMBLING ARE THOUGHT TO REPRESENT THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF FINANCING FOR ORGANIZED CRIME. FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING IS IN THE AREA OF BOOKMAKING ON SPORTS EVENTS. THERE ARE LAWS THAT PROHIBIT SUCH GAMBLING, BUT ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS IS 'ABOUT 2 PER CENT EFFECTIVE.' THUS GAMBLING FLOURISHES UNDER THE CONTROL OF CRIMINAL ELEMENTS. ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION IS TO ASSESS ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE LEGALIZATION OF SPORTS BETTING. PRESENTING TESTIMONY ON THE FIRST DAY OF HEARINGS WERE ART ROONEY, OWNER OF THE PITTSBURG STEELERS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM; ANDY RUSSELL, STEELERS TEAM CAPTAIN; PETE ROZELLE, NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE COMMISSIONER; BOWIE KUHN, BASEBALL COMMISSIONER; AND JAMES (JIMMY THE GREEK) SNYDER, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HANDICAPPER. PRESENTING TESTIMONY ON THE SECOND DAY WERE KELSO STURGEON, AUTHOR OF A BOOK ON SPORTS WAGERING; ROBERT JAMES, CHAIRMAN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION; GEORGE KILLIAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION; CLARENCE CAMPBELL, NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PRESIDENT; LARRY MERCHANT, SPORTSWRITER; JOSEPH SCELZO, PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION; AND GUY MAINELLA, HOST OF A RADIO TALK SHOW ON SPORTS. (LKM)