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* Capitol News Illinois…
State lawmakers are considering a number of changes to Illinois gambling laws, including a measure that would lift the prohibition on gambling on in-state colleges and universities.
Other measures discussed by the House Executive Committee Wednesday would legalize and regulate certain internet gambling programs, or I-gaming, and ban “sweepstakes” machines which mirror video gambling but are otherwise not regulated by the state the same way slot machines are.
Rep. Mike Zalewski, a Riverside Democrat who was one of the lead architects of the gambling expansion bill in 2019 which legalized sports betting, said the prohibition on betting on Illinois collegiate sports teams was put into the law “at the behest of the universities.” […]
[University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman] said it was a “major concern” that U of I athletes may be in direct contact with someone who is betting on them.
“They’re living amongst the people who are betting on them, which is strange to know that somebody who lives in the dorm room right next door might be betting on them, somebody who was involved with one of our teams as a manager, video person, might be betting on them,” he said.
* The Question: Should Illinoisans be allowed to place in-state bets on in-state college and university sports? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 11:50 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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U of I AD has it spot on. Different if you’re a professional, not perfect, but you’re in a very different place than a collegiate athlete.
Comment by Swampy Corn Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 11:53 am
=== it was a “major concern” that U of I athletes may be in direct contact with someone who is betting on them.===
The concern is not with people betting on them…it would be with those betting AGAINST them.
Comment by Stu Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 11:53 am
Yes - You are kidding yourself if you don’t think kids aren’t in the dorm room right now placing bets through a bookie on in-state college games.
Two very good friends at the time put themselves through college running a book. It’s happening but all the dollars go to the black market - might as well reshore some of those dollars.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 11:54 am
I voted yes. But college athletes should also be paid fairly for their work which would make the incentive for them to take money from gamblers lower.
Comment by Sox Fan Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 11:56 am
What Cool Papa Bell said.
Illegal never means it won’t happen. Nothing good comes from the black market. Only decent people becoming criminals and violence to protect the underground market place.
Comment by don the legend Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 11:59 am
Yes. As others have said, it’s naive to think betting isn’t already occurring on a massive scale. All of that money is just money going to other States (or going unreported). One has to wonder just how much money they State could’ve taken in this past year, but lost out on because of the lid on betting on in state teams. Especially college basketball.
Comment by fs Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:07 pm
Voted “no”
Do I think there would possibly be a huge point shaving scandal with SIU-ISU? No. No I don’t.
Do I think NU-Illinois football might have point shaving. No. No I don’t.
I don’t think any real manipulation is probable, even on a radar of probable. No. Nope.
But with so many other games in so many other sports at the collegiate level, I mean there’s 30+ football bowl games for cripes sake…
… is it that crippling for gaming, which is still less than a year old, to deny in-state collegiate games have wagering?
It just has the feel of degenerate gambling, this need to bet on EVERYTHING…
If it passes, and we all can bet on in-state college games, won’t bother me one lil bit. Good on it.
But, if there’s a “need” that it “must” happen… I mean, yikes.
Voted “no”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:14 pm
It would be a mistake to legalize I-gaming. The mobile casinos are extremely addictive.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:24 pm
Yes. In what world is this not already happening? Legalization puts the activity in the open and makes it much easier to expose cheaters. It also cuts off the criminal side.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:25 pm
It’s already happening. I’m not sure making it legal changes much.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:27 pm
I voted yes. Corrupt actors are who they are. And contrary to some’s belief, there are folks outside of Illinois who might want to rig these things too, and it’s not like a) we can ban out of state folks from coming here to entice student-athletes or b) stop Illinoisans from going to Indiana (or another state) to bet them
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:27 pm
Yes; Whitman’s testimony was disingenuous. Abhorrent, racist statements and threats are happening now. Just cause they’re not in-state doesn’t make it better. Moreover, the argument Sox Fan makes about paying athletes is the crux; Whitman said pros can handle it but not collegiate athletes. Patrick Williams is younger than Ayo Dosunmu, but Ayo ain’t a pro yet. Both young men, only one appropriately compensated.
Comment by Livco Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:28 pm
With the cesspool of hypocrisy in college athletics as it is, where universities make millions in donations, ad dollars, and licensing logos, what’s the difference anymore? Let people bet (they’re doing it anyway illegally). Who cares who is betting on the games? The idea that college sports are some kind of pure entity not to be soiled by the evils of wagering is laughable. And if someone is found throwing games for gamblers, either convict them, fire them, or kick them out of the college/university they play for.
Comment by thisjustiagain Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:28 pm
This is a very obvious YES. Other states like Iowa and Indiana don’t have this restriction. College students can easily bet for or against their friends on whatever sports team through off-shore betting. Legalizing this brings more transparency and would make it easier to see if foul play is involved.
Comment by Hot Taeks Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:36 pm
If point shaving was uncovered as recently in the 1994 at Northwestern before legalized sports betting why is out of the question after?
https://www.cnhinews.com/cnhi/news/article_b6131e40-7334-11e8-ba2e-efb580f8e189.html
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:42 pm
Voted yes, because someday a real longshot bet on my Huskies is going to pay off.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:44 pm
Voted yes. As soon as land casinos and online sports gambling became legal, I saw no point to semantics regarding what type of sports betting is legal.
Although I’m happy I wasn’t allowed to lose money on U of I this March.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:45 pm
Voted yes. Cheaters are going to cheat, wherever they are located. If you’re going to allow it, give us Illinoisans a chance to feel more personal interest in the games. Being a Bradley alum, I would love to put a wager or two on them in the winter whether they are good or bad…
Comment by Mr. B.A. Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 12:55 pm
Voted no. While you can’t completely prevent game fixing from happening, it’s no reason to make it easier
Comment by SSL Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:03 pm
This is obviously not going to end well. Voted No.
Comment by Hyrum Powell Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:05 pm
I think the issue is more about protecting student athletes from being threatened and verbally abused by gamblers is the issue more than fear of fixing games. Social media is full of loud mouth tough guy wannabes who speak without consequence. Add losing a net into the mix and it can ugly and personal pretty fast.
I voted no. There are still plenty of ways to bet legally without this minor restriction. And this minor restriction is the only protection being offered to student athletes in Illinois. They deserve it.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:10 pm
As a real quick add…
After living in a fraternity house for a spell where a brother ran book (just no other brother could run their bets thru him) and others under the roof who “had a guy who takes action”
All agreed.
The more games to bet was never about winning, it’s always about chasing losses from the day or days before.
College football, Saturday early game(s), late game(s)… could be up.
NFL, Sunday… early game(s), late game(s)
Monday? Monday Night Football was the way you chased your losses from the weekend, or bet your winnings (hopefully less your “investments”) to really score.
The more opportunities to chase.
Voted “no”, gave my reasons, still won’t bother me a lick if it passes, but it is about the more opportunities to chase.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:11 pm
Unless I have some kind of inside info or am related to the team/athlete somehow, I don’t think there should be any restrictions on it.
Comment by Nathan Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:14 pm
The toothpaste is out of the tube. If you want to help prevent college athletes from fixing games, you’ll need to pay them. Simple.
Comment by filmmaker prof Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:21 pm
Voted yes. You cannot legislate character.
While Mike Z. is at it, how about allowing horse racing bets at local casinos?
Enough with Churchill Downs and all their drama.
Comment by Teddy Salad Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:26 pm
Voted “yes,” agreeing with Cool Papa Bell.
Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:30 pm
People already bet on college sports and will continue to do so. Prohibiting people from betting on college sports does nothing than sends people to offshore betting sites or bookies to place their college bets. People need to get real - this restriction does absolutely nothing to protect athletes or the “integrity” of the games.
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:54 pm
Yes, the government has no business telling us when and how we spend our money.
Comment by Groucho Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 1:55 pm
I voted no simply because I am opposed to gambling in principle. No other reason.
Comment by H-W Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 2:05 pm
Voted ‘no’. Concern is someone will try lose a bundle on a game, and then take revenge on the athlete.
Comment by bogey golfer Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 2:17 pm
Makes no sense. If doing it then do it.
Comment by Eire17 Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 3:07 pm
I voted no. Colleges see it as a potential problem that is easily avoidable, so avoid it. It really is not hard to find other ways to blow your money gambling.
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 3:11 pm
Yes. All citizens of the state should have the right to bet against the Illini, it’s the smart thing to do.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 3:38 pm
i voted no…. lets not give an opportunity for people to corrupt college basketball…..
Comment by Gohawks123 Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 4:00 pm
There was this one time back in the Dark Ages that someone shaved points on the chariot races. So no. We cant safely bet on college sports. S/
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Apr 29, 21 @ 4:31 pm