September 1, 2010 (CAP News Wire) – In a dramatic change of heart that didn’t receive the attention you might think it would in the online casino and Internet poker industry, one of the biggest opponents to legalized and regulated Internet gambling in the U.S., the National Football League (NFL), has reportedly ended its opposition to Barney Frank’s pro-online gambling bill, H.R. 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act.
In the past, the NFL has been one of the most vocal objectors to new online gambling laws, and has poured millions of dollars into lobbying lawmakers against approving new rules. Now that that’s changed, it bodes well for Frank’s bill. (Honestly, Frank’s bill is running out of time for 2010 approval, but in all probability, the same bill will be introduced next year, building on this year’s approval.)
Brian McCarthy, a vice president of communications for the NFL, wrote in an email: “We don’t oppose it [HR 2267] since it now includes the language we had hoped for,” according to PokerNews.com. “The amended language adequately addressed our specific concern. We are pleased with the outcome.”
The article also states that the NFL’s change of heart is a direct result of an amendment to Frank’s bill added by New York Republican Representative Peter King that “prohibits companies licensed under the legislation from offering sports betting, except for parimutuel racing.”