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Frank Online Gambling Bill Caves to Sports Leagues
WASHINGTON, D.C. --
Barney Frank's HR 6870, which made it out of committee this week, is virtually the same as his HR 6767, which lost its chance to advance two months ago by a tie vote, except for one major difference. Sports wagering was left behind, still to be forbidden by the UIGEA while most other forms of gambling may soon be legal and regulated on the Internet.
The hypocrisy of major sports leagues led to Frank's reluctant amending of his own work on the online gambling bill. Despite running businesses that depend vitally on gambling availability, these organizations attempt to maintain distance by opposing legalization of wagering on their events.
Take away fantasy sports, a drawn-out version of sports gaming, and some of the enthusiasm for the competitions dies. Take away that barroom or corner bookie that virtually everyone knows, and close the Las Vegas sportsbooks, and the NFL is no longer America's league, but an afterthought.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a desperate situation to preserve their historic ownership by the Rooney family, as the league is forcing any Ronneys involved in racetracks hosting slots to divest themselves of Steeler stock. Yes, the NFL is ok with tracks, but not slots. All this despite Art Rooney famously winning a big wager to buy his way into the NFL.
During the hearing on HR 6870, Representative William Clay of Missouri accused sports leagues of being disingenuous and wondered aloud about the practical difference, if any, between land casinos booking sports bets and online casinos doing the same.
Frank himself said he didn't understand how sports officials thought they had the right to tell people what they could do; but he compromised, revealing the strength of the lobby representing sports associations.
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