Looks like the NFL helped get that Focus on the Family letter to Congress signed by quite a few conservative Christian groups, and may have been the motivation behind the letter in the first place ...
Full article here ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20253076/In a July 31 e-mail obtained by the Financial Times, Bill Wichterman – a Washington lobbyist for the NFL who served as a top adviser to former Republican majority leader Bill Frist – encouraged conservative groups to co-sign a letter to Congress that ostensibly was written by Focus on the Family. "The threat posed by the Frank legislation is very real, and we must actively work against it," Mr Wichterman wrote.
Funny how fantasy sports are OK, but betting on games is not. Loads of NFL players actually participate in fantasy football. Doesn't seem like a good idea to me, but the NFL condones it because, oh yeah, they make money on it.
Last quote in the story comes from PPA Chairman Alfonse D'Amato ...The campaign underscores how much clout the NFL and its allies wield in the debate over online gaming and sports betting – and the reason why, some observers say, Mr Frank's proposal will not become law as long as it includes a provision that allows bets on sports.
While the NFL is active in the lucrative market for fantasy sports betting, which is legal and was not affected by the anti-gaming legislation, it says legalising sports bets would have a "corrosive" effect on football.
But he says the NFL's influence in Washington is the "major issue" that could prevent the bill from gaining more support. "I don't believe the NFL can be defeated on this."
He added: "They aren't going to want anyone betting on their games unless they can control it."