
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 31, 1990                   TAG: 9003310440
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NOTE

A federal judge ruled that the NBA's lawsuit challenging the Oregon Lottery's Sports Action betting game can go forward.

U.S. District Judge Malcolm Marsh said some of the state's arguments against the lawsuit were valid, but that the case could proceed based on other points raised by the National Basketball Association.

Marsh ruled on a motion by the state of Oregon to dismiss the case. The judge heard arguments on the motion in a two=hour hearing March 22.

In Sports Action, bettors wager money on the outcome of professional football and basketball games.

The NBA filed its lawsuit against the state-sponsored game Dec. 21.

The league says the pari-mutual betting game infringes on NBA property rights, tarnishes the league's integrity and violates federal anti-racketeering laws.

Sports Action began in September with betting on professional football. The game was rated a success, but interest waned after the end of football season.

by CNB