Danny Sheridan

Danny Sheridan is a sports analyst for USA Today and the author of several books on sports betting. The following viewpoint is adapted from testimony Sheridan gave in April 2001 before a Senate committee that was considering legislation that would have banned betting on college sports. Such betting is already illegal in every state except Nevada, notes Sheridan, but illegal sports betting nevertheless occurs throughout the country. Therefore, Sheridan reasons, banning sports betting in Nevada would not reduce the illegal betting that occurs outside of Nevada. Instead, he argues, such a ban would have a harmful effect: The Nevada Gaming Commission, which investigates incidents of game-fixing and other corruption, would no longer monitor sports betting.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How much money did the National Gambling Impact Study Commission estimate...