CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY MAY 15, 2018
THE SUPREME COURT HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO LEGAL SPORTS BETTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY INVALIDATING FEDERAL PROHIBITIONS ON UCH WAGERS. THE RULING WAS 6-3 WITH CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO WRITING THE MAJORITY OPINION.
THE RULING STRUCK DOWN THE 1992 PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR SPORTS PROTECTION ACT. THAT WAS A FEDERAL LAW THAT SAID STATES COULD NOT “SPONSOR, OPERATE, ADVERTISE, PROMOTE, LICENSE, OR AUTHORIZE” SPORTS GAMBLING.
WHATEVER THE LEGAL REASONING BEHIND THIS DECISION, THE RULING IS GOING TO ENCOURAGE GAMBLING ON ALL SPORTS AND TEMPT PLAYERS TO SHAVE POINTS, OR EVEN THROW CONTESTS. IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST – THINK PETE ROSE OF THE CINCINNATI REDS – WHO GAMBLED ON GAMES AND WAS BANNED FROM BASEBALL FOR LIFE.
THE WEAKEST AMONG US WILL BE TEMPTED TO BET THE RENT AND GROCERY MONEY ON GAMES. THE STATES AND GAMBLING INDUSTRY WON’T MIND BECAUSE IT WILL MEAN MORE MONEY FOR THEM. MOST STATES ALREADY HAVE THE LOTTERY. THIS WILL ADD TO THEIR REVENUE BASE AND POLITICIANS NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF OUR MONEY.
THIS RULING IS A BAD BET. I’M CAL THOMAS.
