NFL Changing Its Tune on Betting
It is no secret that the US is in the midst of changes to the gambling market. if you look at the rise in online gambling’s popularity throughout the states, you are going to find millions of players who are now engaging in various online games. This includes poker, slots, video slots, backgammon, baccarat, roulette and bingo. Whatever game you play in a land-based casino you are going to find online these days. Due to that huge rise in popularity, many legislators have their eyes on the huge dollars available. Barney Frank has been instrumental in the US trying to rewrite laws and bills that would replace the UIGEA, or Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This law has been used to deny online gambling’s legality for the past four years but has proven to be ineffective to handle the public interest in gambling online.
Frank has taken it upon himself to focus on the issue. He created a proposal to amend the UIGEA and legalize and regulate gambling in the states. In particular he is hoping that the new law will sort out the NFLs former denial of allowing sports betting into the league. The amendment is called HR2267. This is an amendment that prohibits organizations that are licensed under the proposal from engaging in sports betting. The only exception is horse racing. The NFLs VP Brian McCarthy said that the organization does not directly oppose the HR2267 amendment because its lingo has been altered a bit. The amendment has been altered to cater to former hang-ups that opposing companies and organizations had.
For the past few years the NFL has stood strong against sports betting and wagering in general due to the influence it had over the sport. Organizers believed that if sports betting was legalized it would cause players to act dishonestly within the sport and sully its good name. Though there still may be growing pains to overcome, many believe that this first move to amend the UIGEA is a great start for change. They are hoping that this is the beginning of a new era of legalized and regulated gambling within the US and the world of gambling.
