Zaire Wade and James Jr. Debut in Highschool Basketball Game
The Sierra Canyon Trailblazers steamrolled their opponents from San Diego’s Montgomery High School on Thursday. San Diego lost 91-44 in a one-sided game which featured top NBA talent with LeBron James Jr. and Zaire Wade, son of Dwyane Wade, playing for Sierra.
While their fathers probably won’t play side by side any more in the NBA, Jr. and Zaire did well, and scoring a decent number of points. The youngsters didn’t exactly dominate the game, but they contributed a fair bit.
Jr. managed to score 10 points, which wasn’t bad, but he fell short of BJ Boston who led the team with 22 points. Wade only scored seven points in the game taking a rather more modest stance throughout the night, but he still shot effortlessly, choosing to support his team instead of taking the lead.
While their fathers would most certainly have taken a more prominent position in the game, the youngsters proved to be strategical players, supporting the team effort rather trying to be in the limelight.
Not surprisingly, sportsbooks showed some serious interest in the event.
Sports Bets on Collegiate Events Tempting
While the game was covered by sportsbooks, states have had their reservations regarding wagers on athletic competitions.
Some schools – and lawmakers – have specifically asked to ban the activity and make sure there are clear boundaries between what is viable in terms of betting options and what should be off limits.
The Inter-University Council, an Ohio group of 14 public schools, has been one of the institutions to call for a ban. Bruce E. Johnson, president of the group, has explained the situation succinctly:
It would not take a great leap of logic to conclude the risk of student athletes soliciting and accepting payments in order to influence the outcome of games may increase.
With contests such as March Madness and collegiate football being quite popular, sportsbooks definitely see a reason to work out the odds for most events.
Yet, most states have been very specific about publishing a full list of events that can be legally bet on, as Indiana Gaming Commission did, joining over ten other states, including Iowa.
Sportsbooks Willing to Make an Ethical Choice
Offshore sportsbooks are now looking to achieve an understanding with states. In the face of an industry that is quickly legalizing, bookies not operating legally and with access to U.S. customers will soon feel the pressure of the industry.
BetOnline.ag has been one of the first bookmakers to stop accepting wagers from people who reside in certain states where sports betting is legal, including New Jersey. To analysts, this is an obvious attempt to start preparing for a potential legal launch in the state.
However, laws presently ban any operator who has been running ‘offshore’ and without a license to set-up shop in a legal state.
Not least of all, local companies would probably contest any attempt from outsiders to enter the market – which is growing crowded as is.
Last year, March Madness brought the offshore industry estimated $10 billion in total handle. Things are going to be a little different this time around for offshore bookies, not least of all because there are 19 states – give or take – looking to or having already legalized sports betting.
Making ethical choices usually costs money, but offshore sportsbooks ought to be prepared if they are to survive in a fully transparent market.
As an avid follower of sports and the newly recognized industry of esports, Heidi uses her expertise to help the team push out the best sports content. She is also continually learning more about the gambling industry in general and pushes out a variety of content.
