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The reasoning coming from the National Football League as to why they are so adamant against online casinos does not add up.  The National Football Leagues continues to voice its fear that regulated online casinos in the United States would increase sports betting and thereby endanger the integrity of professional match ups in the league.

While the concern may seem legitimate, a reminder must be issued that the legislation on the chopping block is potentially the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 not the Wire Act of 1961.  The Wire Act outlawed sports betting over the Internet.  The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act has done nothing but haphazardly obstruct the regulation of online casinos.

“We are opposed to more gambling on our games which is what would occur if the 2006 law was overturned,” explained National Football League spokesman Brian McCarthy.

“We understand that illegal gambling currently occurs but there is little we can do about that, he said. However, we can exercise our right to oppose Internet betting on our games.”

“Gambling on our games online or offline threatens the integrity of our games and all the values they represent.”

Unfortunately, missing from McCarthy’s explanation of the position taken by the NFL is any indicator of how regulating online casinos would affect the sports betting or the integrity of professional football games.  A repeal of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is not a repeal of the Wire Act.  The Wire Act is not in question and it is from behind the Wire Act that the National Football League protects its sporting events.

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