NBA allows Kings' owners' casino to take NBA bets
SACRAMENTO, California (AFP) — A casino operated by the Maloof family, which owns the Sacramento Kings, can accept bets on National Basketball Association games thanks to a unanimous vote by the league board of governors.
The Sacramento Bee reported Thursday that the NBA clubs will allow the Palms Casino Resort to accept NBA bets on all games except those involving the Kings, the first time NBA bets can be placed at the casino since it opened in 2001.
There was concern by the league about the appearance of a conflict with the Maloof family owning both the club and the casino.
"We went to the Board of Governors committee a while back and asked them to lift the ban at the casino," Joe Maloof told the newspaper.
"We gave them some reasons why we thought it was a smart move and why it would be beneficial for us and everyone involved. Everyone agreed it was an antiquated law."
American football remains the top lure for bettors, although NBA gambling has been popular at other casinos.
"It just allows us to be on a level playing field with all the other casinos in the city," Maloof said. "It's more about a convenience to your customer. The Kings are off the board. And they felt good with that."
The Harrah's Entertainment group has a similar deal in place with the NBA.
Harrah's chief executive Gary Loveman has a 2.4 percent ownership stake in the NBA champion Boston Celtics and the group's casinos can take bets on all NBA games except those of the Celtics.
