Sandoval not sold on election betting

Gov. Brian Sandoval has come out against a proposal to make Nevada the first state to permit betting on federal elections.

The Republican governor described himself as “more of a traditionalist” when it comes to betting.

“As I think through it, unless I’m convinced otherwise, it is not something I would support,” he told the Las Vegas Sun on Friday. “The state has done fine on sports and horse-race betting and other events.”

Sandoval noted state gambling regulators have opposed the proposal in the past, and a state legislative panel failed to support it this week.

State Sen. Greg Brower, R-Reno, called the proposal inappropriate, saying something as important as elections should not be the subject of wagering.

State Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, had hoped to persuade the panel to request a draft of a bill for the 2015 session allowing Nevada sports books to take pari-mutuel wagers on elections for president, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The effort for the committee’s backing fizzled Tuesday when no one made a motion to request a draft of the bill.

A committee chaired by Segerblom introduced a similar bill that died in the 2013 session. Segerblom said election betting could be a boon for state gambling revenues, and he plans to introduce the bill again in the 2015 session.

Wagering on the presidential election is permitted in England and with off-shore gambling operations, Segerblom said.

The proposal has gained nationwide attention in the U.S., he said, and he plans to discuss it with Sandoval.