A landmark ruling came down on Monday when the Supreme Court found the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 to be unconstitutional.
Now, the NFL wants to play ball.
“The NFL’s long-standing and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of our game remains absolute,” a league spokesman said in a statement Monday.
“Congress has long-recognized the potential harms posed by sports betting to the integrity of sporting contests and the public confidence in these events. Given that history, we intend to call on Congress again, this time to enact a core regulatory framework for legalized sports betting. We also will work closely with our clubs to ensure that any state efforts that move forward in the meantime protect our fans and the integrity of our game.”
Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, said Monday that he will introduce sports betting legislation, and he serves as a likely political partner for the NFL.
“At stake here is the very integrity of sports,” Hatch said in a statement. “That’s why I plan to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to help protect honesty and principle in the athletic arena.”