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Tuesday, February 13, 2001
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
COLLEGE SPORTS GAMBLING: Casinos watching McCain carefully
Sources say senator's schedule may keep him from sponsoring betting ban bill
By TONY BATT
lasvegas.com GAMING WIRE
WASHINGTON -- There may not be a busier U.S. senator these days than John McCain of Arizona, and that has fueled speculation within the casino industry whether he will take the lead again this year in pushing a ban on college sports betting in Nevada.
The question comes up as both sides prepare for battle when legislation is expected to be offered either later this month or in March.
During the past week, Nevada gaming executives continued visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill to press their case against the bill.
Not to be outdone, National Collegiate Athletic Association officials who want the legislation to pass huddled with supportive congressmen to discuss strategy.
If McCain steps aside as the bill's point man -- and that's a big if -- the torch would pass to an equally zealous but less visible advocate, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.
According to lobbyists and Capitol Hill officials, this could cut both ways for Nevada's congressional delegation and the sports books it represents.
While McCain is a high-profile national figure likely to draw more media attention to college sports betting, Brownback appears to have a better relationship with the Senate's GOP leadership and could expect more cooperation in scheduling votes on the Senate floor.
Nevada casinos would prefer Brownback at the helm, but only by a slight majority, according to an industry source.
"Time is always on our side when it comes to these things, and McCain is so busy that you have to wonder how he is going to fit this into his schedule," said the source who requested anonymity.
Already focused on his top priority -- campaign finance reform legislation -- the Arizona Republican also took on leadership roles just this week on patients' rights and gun control. Some Republicans have grumbled that McCain is trying to undercut the agenda of President Bush, who defeated him last year for the GOP nomination.
But McCain's top aide on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee dismissed any suggestion that his boss, who is the panel chairman, might play a lesser role on the college sports betting ban this year.
"If that is what the gaming industry thinks, that's their call. We don't care what they think," staff director Mark Buse said.
"For the record, Senator McCain intends to move forward on this bill just like last year," Buse said. "He worked with Senator Brownback last year, and will work with him this year."
Both Buse and Brownback spokesman Erik Hotmire deflected questions about which senator will take command of the bill. "This is a priority for Senator Brownback, and he will be a leader as he was last year," Hotmire said.
It was Brownback, who also is a member of the commerce committee, who introduced last year's bill. But after McCain prevailed in a turf fight with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, for control of the bill, he emerged as its most visible supporter.
McCain flexed his muscle as committee chairman to schedule a hearing on last year's bill in the midst of March Madness, the NCAA's nationally televised basketball tournament. Just two weeks later, he pushed the bill through the committee on a voice vote despite protests from former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who sat on the panel.
The bill also made it through the House Judiciary Committee, but it never reached the floor of either chamber for final votes.
"We continue to work with both senators (Brownback and McCain) and they have both been very supportive," said Wally Renfro, NCAA's director of public relations.
"Everything appears to be on schedule for introduction (of the bill) in March," Renfro said.
Buse chuckled when asked if this year's bill will be unveiled during March Madness. "I've heard those rumors," he said.
Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, said he would not be surprised to see the bill offered by the end of this month.
The industry is getting its message across to congressional leaders through visits by casino executives, Fahrenkopf said. He declined to name any of the executives or lawmakers involved.
Fahrenkopf doubts the industry stands a better chance if Brownback assumes the leading role in pushing the betting ban.
"That sounds good in a vacuum, but as a practical matter, I don't think it makes any difference," Fahrenkopf said. "There are going to be a number of other sponsors in the Senate and in the House, and remember, Brownback was the bill's chief negotiator with the leadership last year on getting floor time."
On the House side, the bill's leading Democratic sponsor, Rep. Tim Roemer of Indiana, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2002.
Roemer spokesman Chris Mehl scoffed at the idea that this might make Roemer less enthusiastic in his support for the college sports betting ban.
"We just met with (the bill's leading GOP sponsor) Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Wednesday, and the NCAA was at the meeting," Mehl said. "I can't think of a stronger example to show that's not correct."
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
COLLEGE SPORTS GAMBLING: Casinos watching McCain carefully
Sources say senator's schedule may keep him from sponsoring betting ban bill
By TONY BATT
lasvegas.com GAMING WIRE
WASHINGTON -- There may not be a busier U.S. senator these days than John McCain of Arizona, and that has fueled speculation within the casino industry whether he will take the lead again this year in pushing a ban on college sports betting in Nevada.
The question comes up as both sides prepare for battle when legislation is expected to be offered either later this month or in March.
During the past week, Nevada gaming executives continued visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill to press their case against the bill.
Not to be outdone, National Collegiate Athletic Association officials who want the legislation to pass huddled with supportive congressmen to discuss strategy.
If McCain steps aside as the bill's point man -- and that's a big if -- the torch would pass to an equally zealous but less visible advocate, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.
According to lobbyists and Capitol Hill officials, this could cut both ways for Nevada's congressional delegation and the sports books it represents.
While McCain is a high-profile national figure likely to draw more media attention to college sports betting, Brownback appears to have a better relationship with the Senate's GOP leadership and could expect more cooperation in scheduling votes on the Senate floor.
Nevada casinos would prefer Brownback at the helm, but only by a slight majority, according to an industry source.
"Time is always on our side when it comes to these things, and McCain is so busy that you have to wonder how he is going to fit this into his schedule," said the source who requested anonymity.
Already focused on his top priority -- campaign finance reform legislation -- the Arizona Republican also took on leadership roles just this week on patients' rights and gun control. Some Republicans have grumbled that McCain is trying to undercut the agenda of President Bush, who defeated him last year for the GOP nomination.
But McCain's top aide on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee dismissed any suggestion that his boss, who is the panel chairman, might play a lesser role on the college sports betting ban this year.
"If that is what the gaming industry thinks, that's their call. We don't care what they think," staff director Mark Buse said.
"For the record, Senator McCain intends to move forward on this bill just like last year," Buse said. "He worked with Senator Brownback last year, and will work with him this year."
Both Buse and Brownback spokesman Erik Hotmire deflected questions about which senator will take command of the bill. "This is a priority for Senator Brownback, and he will be a leader as he was last year," Hotmire said.
It was Brownback, who also is a member of the commerce committee, who introduced last year's bill. But after McCain prevailed in a turf fight with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, for control of the bill, he emerged as its most visible supporter.
McCain flexed his muscle as committee chairman to schedule a hearing on last year's bill in the midst of March Madness, the NCAA's nationally televised basketball tournament. Just two weeks later, he pushed the bill through the committee on a voice vote despite protests from former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who sat on the panel.
The bill also made it through the House Judiciary Committee, but it never reached the floor of either chamber for final votes.
"We continue to work with both senators (Brownback and McCain) and they have both been very supportive," said Wally Renfro, NCAA's director of public relations.
"Everything appears to be on schedule for introduction (of the bill) in March," Renfro said.
Buse chuckled when asked if this year's bill will be unveiled during March Madness. "I've heard those rumors," he said.
Frank Fahrenkopf, president of the American Gaming Association, said he would not be surprised to see the bill offered by the end of this month.
The industry is getting its message across to congressional leaders through visits by casino executives, Fahrenkopf said. He declined to name any of the executives or lawmakers involved.
Fahrenkopf doubts the industry stands a better chance if Brownback assumes the leading role in pushing the betting ban.
"That sounds good in a vacuum, but as a practical matter, I don't think it makes any difference," Fahrenkopf said. "There are going to be a number of other sponsors in the Senate and in the House, and remember, Brownback was the bill's chief negotiator with the leadership last year on getting floor time."
On the House side, the bill's leading Democratic sponsor, Rep. Tim Roemer of Indiana, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2002.
Roemer spokesman Chris Mehl scoffed at the idea that this might make Roemer less enthusiastic in his support for the college sports betting ban.
"We just met with (the bill's leading GOP sponsor) Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Wednesday, and the NCAA was at the meeting," Mehl said. "I can't think of a stronger example to show that's not correct."