April 4, 2003
Casino Advertising in
Grizzly Stadium is Out
Grizzlies take down casino sign
By Thomas Hobbs, Staff Writer

    FRESNO -- In modern day baseball there are still a few gamblers around who try to beat the point spread. A typical kind of baseball betting line can easily be found anywhere on the Internet. As an example, take a look at Betting on Baseball. So, when the Fresno Grizzlies posted its scoreboard in center field of Grizzlies' Stadium prominently displaying the words "Table Mountain Casino," it raised a few eyebrows.
   Controversy resulted in the community. Should there be advertising on the Grizzlies scoreboard promoting gambling? The baseball commissioners say no. Apparently, the Fresno Grizzlies have severed their financial arrangement with the Table Mountain Casino as a result of community concern. According to the Fresno Bee version of the story, the Grizzlies announced that "past business relationship with the casino did not comply with the Minor League Baseball's guidelines on doing business with gaming establishments."
    The Fresno Republican observed that the scoreboard in center field at Grizzly Stadium was jointly sponsored by the Bee and Table Mountain Casino, Coca-Cola, Carl's Jr., Miller Beer, Community Hospitals of Central California, Wireless Superstores and U.S. Mortgage.
   The Table Mountain Casino was granted the right to operate a gambling establishment. In 1994, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Indian Gaming establishments were free of regulation or interference by local state, county or city officials. However the Gaming Commissioners have the last say on whether the baseball team owners may or may not contract with Indian gaming establishments.

Letter to Editor

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