Touchdown! NFL drops fight against poker
Online poker a step closer to returning to the US after National Football League drops opposition to new law
| by Jackhunter |  August, 13th 2010 |
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Above: Touchdown: The NFL has dropped its opposition to online poker
The American National Football League, one of the biggest opponents of online poker, has dropped its opposition to a bid to make it legal.
In a huge breakthrough for the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, which would see online poker in the US regulated, the NFL has said it will no longer fight the legislation.
It came after New York Republican Peter King added an amendment to the act excluding sports betting - meaning Americans would still be unable to bet online on NFL games.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said: "We don’t oppose it since it now includes the language we had hoped for.
"The amended language adequately addressed our specific concern. We are pleased with the outcome."
Last month the the House Financial Services Committee in Washington passed HR 2267 - the act's technical name - by a 41-22 vote.
The legislation, which would bring many offshore poker companies back onto US soil and raise billions in tax revenue, could be now added to a 'safe' bill and passed into law later this year.
