Maloof-run Palms to take NBA bets despite Kings

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Palms casino operator George Maloof Jr. says the NBA Board of Governors has voted to allow the casino to accept bets on the league's games even though the Maloof family owns both the casino and the Sacramento Kings.

Maloof says Thursday's unanimous vote allows the Las Vegas casino to take wagers on all NBA teams for the first time, except the Kings.

The arrangement is similar to a deal between the league and Harrah's Entertainment Inc., whose chief executive Gary Loveman owns a 2.4 percent stake in the Boston Celtics.

Maloof says he has not calculated how much NBA betting action the Palms expects.

He says he has been formally pushing the league to allow NBA wagering for six months.