INDIANAPOLIS — The potential for sports betting in Indiana will be studied by a summer legislative committee, leaders announced Tuesday, one day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that prohibited states from allowing betting on football, basketball and other sports.
The General Assembly’s two Democratic and two Republican leaders added sports betting to the annual list of study topics, but “not necessarily because the four leaders think it’s a great idea,” House Speaker Brian Bosma said.
“We know that, given the Supreme Court ruling yesterday, we need to understand the impacts on our state, including the existing gaming industry, and be prepared for discussions next session, pro or con.”
Bosma has said he is not a fan of expanding the gaming industry in Indiana.
The topic was assigned to the Interim Study Committee on Public Policy.
On Monday, Attorney General Curtis Hill praised the Supreme Court decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which prohibited most states from legalizing sports betting.
In 2011, voters in New Jersey approved a ballot measure legalizing sports betting. Citing the 1992 PASPA law, however, college and professional sports leagues sued former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie when he sought to act upon the voters’ wishes.
Last year, Hill joined Indiana to an amicus brief in support of New Jersey’s right to set its own policies.
Indianapolis is home to the NCAA, which has likened sports betting to athlete doping and suggested that gambling should be treated as a medical concern.
On Monday, the NCAA said it was evaluating the impact of the decision on college sports, adding, “We will adjust sports wagering and championship policies to align with the direction from the court.”