Senator John McCain Wants Congress to Look at Legalized Sports Betting

Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican and former US Presidential nominee in 2008, told “Capital Games” hosts Rick Klein and Andy Katz this past week that Congress needs to debate whether sports betting should be legalized.

"We need a debate in Congress," McCain said. "We need to have a talk with the American people, and we need to probably have hearings in Congress on the whole issue so we can build consensus."

Under current law, Nevada is the only state permitted to offer single-game sports betting while Delaware, Montana and Oregon do permit limited sports wagering within their borders.

When asked why Nevada should be allowed to offer sports betting, but no other state, McCain replied, "I think you've got an excellent point, and that's why it's an excellent issue."

New Jersey has attempted unsuccessfully to this point to legalize sports betting.  The professional sports leagues and NCAA sued to prevent the Garden State from doing so. That case is headed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in the spring.

Shortly after the suit was filed, National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver went on record as saying he believes sports betting should be legalized as well.

"I think that there [are] places for sports gambling in states, where gambling is legal," McCain said. "We obviously know that there are huge amounts gambled on sporting events, particularly football.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com