NFL Opposes Proposed Legislation
Last year’s Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) has proven
unpopular within the U.S. and in the international online casino gambling
industry. And in the months after the U.S. government began to enforce the UIGEA
many politicians and lobbyist groups support new bills that would neutralize the
UIGEA and instead license and regulate the online casinos and all forms of
internet gambling. At the forefront of the new bills is Congressman Barney
Franks Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA). Surprisingly
though the IGREA bill has produced unlikely opposition from the National
Football League.
In a recent turn of events, the U.S. National football league has teamed up with
the Christian right to seriously oppose Frank’s proposed bill. Frank’s bill has
really gained a positive following in the recent months as more politicians –
both Democrats and Republicans voice their support and openly oppose the current
online casino ban. But the religious right is a powerful ally for the NFL, and
with the alliance of UIGEA supporter, Bill Wichterman, Frank’s bill could
encounter some serious resistance from some of the top Washington pressure
groups who are against online casinos in the U.S.
The NFL’s reasons for openly opposing the neutralization of the online casino
ban are unclear, but most analysts agree that it opposition centers on how the
new legislation treats NFL Fantasy Football leagues. And now that the NFL has
come public with the opposition and “enlisted the support of the Christian
right” politically right groups are really beginning to “drum up opposition”
(Financial Times). Wichterman, a Washington lobbyist is apparently actively
supporting the NFL and Christian right’s new movement and has plans to involve
Focus on the Family in vocal protest to Frank’s and other’s bills that would
bring online casinos back into the U.S.
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