5 reasons Las Vegas should get a NFL team now

May 11, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General view of NFL Wilson Duke football at the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign on the Las Vegas strip on Las Vegas Blvd. Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis (not pictured) has pledged $500 million toward building a 65,000-seat domed stadium in Las Vegas at a total cost of $1.4 billion. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (not pictured) said Davis can explore his options in Las Vegas but would require 24 of 32 owners to approve the move. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 11, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General aerial view of the MGM Grand Las Vegas hotel and casino and the Las Vegas strip and skyline on Las Vegas Blvd. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The gambling excuse is overused by critics

It has been the one sticking point that has helped to keep pro sports from moving a team to Las Vegas for decades: the amount of sports gambling that takes place. With the proposed stadium being so close to where many of these sports books are located, it’s giving these haters even more ammo.

The problem is this: if a bookie or someone involved in the point shaving game wants to get to a player or team, they are going to do it whether the team is in Las Vegas or Memphis. Scandals have rocked teams at both the college and pro levels across the country (including New York City and Boston), but there is never a call to remove teams from those places because gambling has compromised the “integrity”.

It is a legitimate concern, but it isn’t like the 1960’s or earlier where Las Vegas was the place you had to go to if you wanted to lay down some action. With the internet and locations across the country, this fear has become just as outdated as some of the wallpaper at several casinos in the city.

Next: 1. The Raiders-Las Vegas marriage is too perfect

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