DALLAS, TX – APRIL 21: Owner, Mark Cuban before game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is always thinking outside the box, so his thoughts on legalized gambling in the United States are always worth paying attention to. Not surprisingly, Cuban is all-in on legalizing gambling in the United States, and he seems to hope it happens soon.

“I’m not a fan of hypocrisy and I love the fact that [NBA commissioner Adam Silver]’s not either,” Cuban said during an interview with Andy Katz and Rick Klein on an ESPN podcast. “We know that there is gambling on our sport. We know that there’s legalized gambling in more than a hundred countries globally and that billions upon billions are being spent on gambling on NBA games. We’re somewhat hypocritical if we say we don’t approve of it or don’t support it in the United States. So I’m all for legalizing gambling.”

The push to legalize sports gambling has been going on for years, and is still picking up steam as the search for more money continues at every turn. Legalizing sports gambling would be a quick way to raise some money for the economy, which Cuban is clearly mindful of, just as he is aware of the self-interests power players in the sports world like Cuban and others around the NBA have with the topic.

“Obviously, there are self-interests and there’s a benefit to myself and the teams financially and that certainly goes into it but it’s happening and, if anything, we’re better off from a protection perspective if it’s legalized because we can manage it. Of course, if it’s legalized, it’s also going to be taxed, and if it’s taxed then we can help those who have a gambling problem and it goes into the treasury and there’s no shortage of need there.”

As for putting an NBA franchise in Las Vegas, Cuban sees no harm or risk in doing so, saying we have come a long way from having to worry about players in Las Vegas. The NFL might beat the NBA to Las Vegas, with speculation continuing to swirl about the Oakland Raiders potentially being moved to Vegas.

[ESPN]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.