Roger Goodell Wants “Common Sense” Sports Gambling Laws

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has released a statement regarding the imminent legalization of sports betting. His statement was aimed at Congress and any states which plan to approve of and regulate NFL betting.

Roger Goodell called for ‘uniform standards’ and ‘consumer protection’ to be included in any law regarding sports betting.

After the Supreme Court ruled last week to remove the 1992 law that banned state-authorized sports gambling, leagues have reacted.

In the Monday statement, the NFL commissioner repeated the NFL’s belief that sports betting should be governed by federal law. Goodell also called for the right ‘‘to protect our content and intellectual property from those who attempt to steal or misuse it.’’

Goodell put pressure on law enforcement to ‘‘protect our fans and penalize bad actors here at home and abroad”. He also believes that fans should have access to official and reliable league data.

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You can read the full statement from Roger Goodell below:

“As it was for my predecessors, there is no greater priority for me as the Commissioner of the National Football League than protecting the integrity of our sport. Our fans, our players and our coaches deserve to know that we are doing everything possible to ensure no improper influences affect how the game is played on the field. This week’s ruling by the Supreme Court has no effect on that unwavering commitment.

“We have spent considerable time planning for the potential of broadly legalized sports gambling and are prepared to address these changes in a thoughtful and comprehensive way, including substantial education and compliance trainings for our clubs, players, employees and partners. These efforts include supporting commonsense legislation that protects our players, coaches and fans and maintains public confidence in our games. We are asking Congress to enact uniform standards for states that choose to legalize sports betting that include, at a minimum, four core principles:

“1. There must be substantial consumer protections;

“2. Sports leagues can protect our content and intellectual property from those who attempt to steal or misuse it;

“3. Fans will have access to official, reliable league data; and

“4. Law enforcement will have the resources, monitoring and enforcement tools necessary to protect our fans and penalize bad actors here at home and abroad.”