Tide, Cowboys handling gambling concern differently
Alabama football players in town for the Independence Bowl didn't waste time
getting into one of the prime attractions in Shreveport: casinos. Oklahoma
State coach Mike Gundy has prohibited his team from visiting the gambling
halls. But The Oklahoman newspaper reported Tuesday that some Crimson Tide
players spent Christmas Eve in casinos after arriving for the game, which
will be played Thursday afternoon. The newspaper said Alabama players age 21
and older were seen ordering alcoholic drinks and betting at blackjack,
roulette and poker tables. Alabama's interim coach, Joe Kines, advised his
players not to waste their money but didn't prohibit them from visiting
casinos. "We set up a box at the door and told our players to drop their
money in and we'd give it back (after the bowl game)," Kines said. Informed
that several Alabama players were seen with a stack of chips, a few turning
a profit at the Horseshoe Casino, Kines smiled: "I didn't hear that," Kines
said. "Three-fourths of our team is under 21 which shows you how young this
team is." Only about one-third of Oklahoma State's 90 or so players who made
the bowl trip are 21 or older, which is the legal age for gambling in
Louisiana. State law mandates two days in jail and a $500 fine for minors
who try to visit a casino. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy prohibited his
players from visiting casinos. "If our guys want to play poker or gamble,
they have the rest of their lives to do that," Gundy said. "I don't have
anything against it. But they're still on our time. "Our opinion is this
isn't a professional team. They're representing a university and they're
students. We're down here to enjoy each other and win a football game."
getting into one of the prime attractions in Shreveport: casinos. Oklahoma
State coach Mike Gundy has prohibited his team from visiting the gambling
halls. But The Oklahoman newspaper reported Tuesday that some Crimson Tide
players spent Christmas Eve in casinos after arriving for the game, which
will be played Thursday afternoon. The newspaper said Alabama players age 21
and older were seen ordering alcoholic drinks and betting at blackjack,
roulette and poker tables. Alabama's interim coach, Joe Kines, advised his
players not to waste their money but didn't prohibit them from visiting
casinos. "We set up a box at the door and told our players to drop their
money in and we'd give it back (after the bowl game)," Kines said. Informed
that several Alabama players were seen with a stack of chips, a few turning
a profit at the Horseshoe Casino, Kines smiled: "I didn't hear that," Kines
said. "Three-fourths of our team is under 21 which shows you how young this
team is." Only about one-third of Oklahoma State's 90 or so players who made
the bowl trip are 21 or older, which is the legal age for gambling in
Louisiana. State law mandates two days in jail and a $500 fine for minors
who try to visit a casino. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy prohibited his
players from visiting casinos. "If our guys want to play poker or gamble,
they have the rest of their lives to do that," Gundy said. "I don't have
anything against it. But they're still on our time. "Our opinion is this
isn't a professional team. They're representing a university and they're
students. We're down here to enjoy each other and win a football game."
Oklahoma State linebacker Rodrick Johnson said he would resist the
temptation of sneaking out to a casino.
"All the guys were pumped because we knew casinos were here, and then they
told us we weren't allowed to go," Johnson said. "I guess it's for the best.
But I'd love to go to the casino one day and play a little poker. Blackjack
is my game."
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