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Bettman questions NBA commish Silver's stance on sports betting

Timothy T. Ludwig / USA TODAY Sports

Whereas Adam Silver is an advocate, Gary Bettman is a skeptic. 

The NHL commissioner was asked about his NBA counterpart's calling for the legalization and regulation of sports betting, and questioned the effect it would have on professional sport. 

Bettman told CNN's Rachel Nichols that legalized gambling could adversely change the atmosphere in arenas and stadiums. 

"Do you want people at football and basketball games rooting for the spread or rooting for their favorite team?" Bettman asked Nichols rhetorically.

The commissioner's stance is quite interesting, considering the NHL's rumored interest in the gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas.

Bettman wouldn't confirm the league's interest in the city but said Las Vegas has shown interest in the NHL:

The good news for us is the NHL's never been stronger, never been more popular and that I guess has led to a lot of interest being expressed from a number of places on interest in getting an expansion team and Las Vegas happens to be one of those places.

Bettman said the NHL is working with the NHLPA to bring back the World Cup, and that the league hasn't yet focused on the issue of Olympic participation in 2018.

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