US Senator calls for sports-betting talks

ederal law on sports betting is in need of review, according to former presidential candidate John McCain.

Nevada is the only US state to allow single-game sports wagering, while Montana, Delaware and Oregon have limited forms of sports betting.

McCain has called for the issue to be discussed in Congress to establish a clearer framework for sports betting in the US.

The Republican Senator told ESPN: “We need a debate in Congress.

“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.”

When asked as to why Nevada should be allowed to offer sports-betting services more than any 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 to legalise sports betting at racetracks and casinos on two separate occasions, in 2012 and 2014, but both bills were blocked after injunctions were filed by the four major professional US sports leagues and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, who fear that legalised sports betting would leave sports open to corruption and match fixing.

National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver is open to discussions on sports betting in the US and confirmed in January he had held talks with other commissioners in other leagues about changing the law.