Legislator intends to put forward sports betting law

After around 10 anticipatory bills were passed or are intended to be passed by a number of states in case the Supreme Court rules in favor of New Jersey in the sports betting action, the Indiana lawmaker wants to do the same in his state.

However, his intentions could be frustrated by the NCAA, the Indianapolis-based college sports governing body, which opposes all forms of sports gambling. It even bars any of its championship events from being held in Nevada.

"I understand where they'll be coming from," Morrison said. "But it's also important for the NCAA to understand that the landscape of gaming is changing throughout our country. I think they would hopefully have some understanding that Indiana would have rights just like the other states."

Morrison said restricting college bets in Indiana "would be a pretty big burden" for the state's gaming facilities.

In the Supreme Court, the state of New Jersey is trying to have the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) declared unconstitutional. The 1992 law prohibits sports betting except in a few states.

Michael Pollock of the consultant Spectrum Gaming Group said sports betting is becoming more acceptable, "and that's only going to continue.

"Whether it happens with a dam bursting, through a Supreme Court decision, or it happens more gradually, it's going to happen," Pollock said during an Indiana legislative preview conference.