NFL Opposes Online Gambling

[The Judge]

NFL opposes online gambling, not just sports betting

05/01/2007

Representatives from major amateur and professional leagues are against all forms of online gambling, including poker, and not just sports betting.

According to an article by Jessica Holzer from TheHill.com, Martin Gold, a lobbyist at Covington & Burling who represents the National Football League (NFL), stated in a letter sent by e-mail to the offices of Financial Services Committee members the following:

“Our sports organizations would very strongly oppose any effort to legalize any online sports gambling. We would also oppose any legislation that would legalize and regulate non-sports gambling online, because we do not believe that differential treatment of sports gambling and other gambling online would be sustainable in the current environment."

NFL Vice President Joe Browne confirms the view expressed by the lobbyist.

When did NFL become the Almighty of what we do at home, is unknown. Should we go and buy an "NFL-approved" cups and koozies before we watch the latest NFL game from the comfort of our own couches? How about the washing machine detergent, is there a brand that NFL does not approve me washing my socks with? The idea behind NFL telling us that they do not approve online poker or online blackjack is of the same ridicules proportion.

NFL did not stop by, or at least call, to ask me if I approve their new sponsor, so NFL has no right to tell me what they think I should do with my own money at my own house. When I had to fork out $70 on a NFL "original" jersey, when I could easily bought a "counterfeit" one for $10 - you better stay away from my at-home business.

Sure, we all enjoy a good NFL game, but we all pay for it by watching hidden and open advertisements such as of NFL's approved apparel; going as far as fining Urlacher $100,000 for wearing a hat with a sponsor not approved by NFL. So if I want to bet $10 on the next game - shut up and take it. You already make more than enough.

NFL would go on and on about how sports betting corrupts the games. No, it's not the Bookmakers and bettors who corrupt the game.

Do you remember the Toledo point shaving scandal? Yeah, it was the Bookmakers who blew the whistle, because it's in the sportsbooks' own interest to avoid any tampering with the games, as they would loose from it. But it was the player who took the bribes.

Even so, NFL has the right to say that they do not approve of people gambling on their games. But to tell us that we should not be playing online poker? That's way over the line. NFL's job is to provide us with countless hours of football entertainment, and that's it.


LINK to article

[The Judge]

Sports leagues mobilize against Frank’s gaming bill
By Jessica Holzer
TheHill.com
May 01, 2007

A coalition of major amateur and professional sports leagues is urging members of the House Financial Services Committee to oppose legislation unveiled by Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) that would undo last year’s crackdown on illegal online gambling.

The first stab by the sports industry at the bill provoked a searing response from one Hill staffer, revealing divisions over the legislation, which passed the House overwhelmingly last year.

“Our sports organizations would very strongly oppose any effort to legalize any online sports gambling,” Martin Gold, a lobbyist at Covington & Burling who represents the National Football League (NFL), stated in a letter sent by e-mail to the offices of Financial Services Committee members.

“We would also oppose any legislation that would legalize and regulate non-sports gambling online, because we do not believe that differential treatment of sports gambling and other gambling online would be sustainable in the current environment,” Gold wrote.

The letter, which was signed by five major sports organizations, including the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball (MLB), prompted a biting reply from Tom Lizardo, chief of staff to avowed libertarian Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who sits on the Financial Services panel.

“So the professional sports leagues are directly opposed to the interests of the fans who pay their bills? Is there any explanation of this?” he responded the next day.

According to the e-mail provided to The Hill, Lizardo continued, “Please don’t tell me something about the altruism of professional sports, especially the NFL. Maybe they could spend a bit more time and effort making sure your retired players are not living in poverty with the billions you make on the Super Bowl.

“Oh, I see ‘keep government out of pro sports’ but have it regulate my personal use of my home computer? Nice,” he concluded.

Norman Singleton, another staffer to Paul, sent the e-mail to the rest of the committee. Less than two hours later Gold responded, asking the pair to forward his reply on to the other members. But they didn’t.

Asked for comment, NFL Vice President Joe Browne said, “Marty Gold’s views represent the position of amateur and professional sports leagues as well as the more than 300 members who voted for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Bill last year. That number included majorities in both parties. I am certain that Congressman Paul’s views were expressed by his staffer.”

Offshore Internet gaming companies and poker enthusiasts have led the charge in opposition to last year’s crackdown, which made it illegal for credit cards and banks to make payments to online gambling companies. Federal and state laws have long prohibited the activity, but were not enforced. Frank’s bill would set up a regulatory scheme to allow Internet gambling by adults through companies registered with the U.S. Treasury.

Critics of last year’s crackdown on online gaming complain about a carve-out in the legislation for fantasy sports leagues, which they say bear a close resemblance to sports betting.

“You ask any 10 guys who are in a fantasy league, they don’t play for a color television, they play for money,” one online gambling industry lobbyist asserted.

The fantasy leagues not only produce millions of dollars for MLB; they also stir interest in baseball, football and other sports, he added. “I just think it’s somewhat hypocritical that they stand up and say, ‘We don’t want betting on the sport’ when these fantasy leagues drive revenue.”

[verdict]

wonder if nfl realizes nobody watches monday night football if no betting