Senate eyes bill restricting sports gambling

WASHINGTON — A Senate committee has given the go-ahead to legislation that would prohibit gambling on Olympic, college and high school sports.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved by voice vote April 13 the Amateur Sports Integrity Act, S. 2340. The bill would prohibit any government entity from sponsoring, operating, advertising, promoting, licensing, or authorizing any type of gambling, including lotteries and sweepstakes, on amateur sports.

“Legalized gambling on kids is wrong,” said Sen. John McCain, R.-Ariz., the bill’s chief sponsor, in a written release. “They should not be reduced to a point spread and a spectacle for wagering. By closing the Las Vegas loophole and banning college sports gambling completely, we will end a practice that has exposed college athletes to unwarranted pressure, bribery and corruption.”