Former NBA Commissioner Discusses Benefits of Legalized Sports Betting
LAS VEGAS - NBA Commissioner Emeritus David J. Stern was the final featured speaker at the American Gaming Association's Global Gaming Expo 2016 (G2E), where he discussed the benefits of legalizing sports betting and how it will ultimately protect the integrity of sports. G2E is the world's largest casino-gaming conference and took place from September 26-29 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Stern and AGA's President and CEO Geoff Freeman discussed the future of sports betting and its impact on major professional sports. Stern touched on the relationship between the gaming industry and major sporting leagues and how they can learn from each other in the future.
"The belief that gambling will lead to bad things is an outdated notion," said David Stern. "Let's not talk about the 'evils' of gambling when it comes to sports. The industry has come to accept that a properly run gaming association will be protective towards sports."
Stern believes that the best way to protect the integrity of sports is by regulating sports betting.
For 30 years, Stern helped shape the NBA into the organization it is today. Stern is credited with the increase in popularity of basketball worldwide during the 1990s and 2000s, as well as the creation of the WNBA. Stern oversaw the proliferation of the NBA globally, from its expansion into Canada to televised games in countries around the globe.
