LAS VEGAS -- The Nevada state Gaming Control Board said it has no evidence to merit a criminal investigation into the blackout that cut short the UNLV-Wisconsin football game.

A power outage Saturday night forced officials to call the game with 7:41 remaining and Wisconsin, between a 3- and 7-point favorite, ahead 27-7. All bets were refunded because most sports books require at least 55 minutes to be completed.

"As far as the information that we have, it was purely an accident and we don't start investigations based on rumors,'' Gaming Control Board member Scott Scherer told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "If solid evidence comes forth to show that this is something other than an accident, then we certainly would look into it.''

A spokesman for Nevada Power Co. said Monday that a splice failure in a cable caused the blackout, not an automobile accident, as UNLV police reported. Crews repaired the damage early Sunday.

Bettors have the option to file a patron dispute with the board, which would investigate the merits of the claim. Gary Orton, a state gambling law enforcement officer, said officials have gotten numerous calls.