SPRINGFIELD — Speaking to a House subcommittee Wednesday on behalf of 12 of the state’s 13 NCAA Division I schools — all except Chicago State — University of Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said he opposed any bill that would allow sports betting on collegiate athletics in Illinois. Both plans introduced at Wednesday’s hearing at the Statehouse include restrictions on betting on Illinois collegiate teams. A letter from Whitman and the other 11 athletic directors to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly urged them to exclude betting on college athletics altogether. Unlike pro sports, the letter argued, the campus environment would allow potential gamblers to easily interact with athletes, “the subject of their bets” on campus.
gmorgan@capitolnewsillinois.com
Whitman: All bets should be off on collegiate sports
