NFL embraces 'predictive gaming' which somehow isn't gambling

For decades, the National Football League (NFL) was one of the loudest voices arguing against regulated sports betting in the United States. The whiny billionaires who own the 32 teams that play professional American football swore up and down that sports betting would damage the integrity of their game and would be nothing short of the end of the world as we know it.
That was then, this is now.
Now that sports betting is legal in the US and spreading rapidly, NFL owners are finding new ways to embrace the old gambling demons they once feared so much. For example, take the Washington Redskins and their embrace of a curious new game called, “predictive gaming.” Predictive gaming, which is definitely not gambling, operates under the moniker Predict the Game and will be tested out during several preseason games.
Predict the Game, if you haven’t guessed, is basically the in-play wagering equivalent of a social casino – wagering without the cash.
In a press release, Washington Redskins Senior Vice President Scott Shepherd crowed about the new product, without mentioning its obvious link to gambling, saying, “We’re thrilled to partner with NBC Sports Washington to bring the first predictive, free-to-play live game telecast to the NF. This partnership strategically aligns with our organization’s commitment to constant innovation for our fans. We are continuously working to enhance the fan experience and strive to identify new, meaningful ways for our incredible fans to engage with our team.”
Predict the Game will feature in-game graphics to guide fans and feature a $1,000 prize each quarter. The game will not be featured in regular season games, though the NFL frequently uses its length preseason to try out new features that eventually make their way into the fold.