It's probably a matter of when, not if, folks will be able to be on sports legally throughout the United States, not just during pilgrimages to the desert or a few other states.

What remains to be seen is if Wednesday's proposal from the NBA isn't a matter of one step forward and two steps back, though.

In addition to other regulations, the league wants 1 percent of all wagers. An "integrity tax" is what it's called in the proposal. Bookmakers will see it as directly eating into their profits, and something that's worth millions to the NBA.

"We are pleased that the NBA today joined with the gaming industry in support of vigorously regulated sports wagering. We can all agree that the 25-year ban on sports wagering has been a failure in every regard," AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman told Forbes.com. "Now, let's get real about eliminating the illegal market, protecting consumers and determining the role of government - a role that most certainly does not include transferring money from bettors to multi-billion dollar sports leagues."

The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that 1 percent would equal about 20-29 percent of its profits, and would force bookmakers to skim the odds in order to try and make up that loss.

According to UNLV's Center for Gaming Research, $18.9 million was wagered on professional and college basketball in a 25-year period leading up to 2016.

Nba asked for 1% of the gambling rev if it’s legalized to partner up. Why would the government/business give them anything. They don’t need them to ok it — John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) January 25, 2018