By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO)  Illinois lawmakers are considering the legalization of sports betting, as a State Senate committee heard testimony on the issue Tuesday in Springfield.

A top official with the National Basketball Association told the Senators that the league is now open to legalized sports betting, if it can be ensured that the leagues share in the revenue.

NBA Senior Vice President Dan Spillane​ said, “We’ve studied all of these issues for some time and we’ve concluded that the time has come for a different approach that gives sports fans a safe and legal way to bet on sporting events while protecting the integrity of our competitions.”

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wanted to legalize sports betting in that state and New Jersey has undertaken an effort that is currently before the United States Supreme court that would overturn the federal ban on sports betting.

There is a proposal in Springfield that would legalize betting on individual professional, amateur and college games, with the state imposing taxes on the industry.   At least a dozen other states, in addition to Illinois, are watching to see if the Supreme Court overturns the federal gambling ban.

@ 2018 WLS-AM News