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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Addresses Landmark Decision By Supreme Court To Strike Down Federal Law Prohibiting Sports Gambling

The United States Supreme Court struck down a federal low that prohibits sports gambling, clearing the way for states to legalizing such betting. The court ruled 6-3 to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA), which was enacted in 1992 and barred state-authorized sports gambling with some exceptions.

It allowed for Nevada to be the only state where wagers could be placed on the results of a sporting game. Historically, the NCAA, NFL and NBA had backed the federal prohibition.

However in January, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s attorneys outlined a path in which the NBA would support the legalization of sports gambling.