Updated: August 26, 2025
Jeff Haynes/AP
The NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, wants Congress to oversee sports betting now that states are free to make it legal. Goodell wants uniform standards for sports betting that include at least” four core principles .”
Background of the Supreme Court Decision
In May 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This landmark ruling allowed states to regulate and legalize sports betting independently. The decision was a major turning point, facilitating a rapid expansion of legal sports gambling across the country.
Sports leagues like the NFL promptly assessed their positions on the issue, as states could now chart their own courses. This resulted in a blend of opportunities and challenges, especially for those concerned with maintaining the integrity of sports.
While three of the principles feel like no-brainers, the fourth will receive a lot of pushback from casinos and sportsbooks.
The Supreme Court opened the door for widespread legalized athletics gambling when it ruled that it should be up to individual states, but the NFL's commissioner, Roger Goodell, still wants Congress involved to keep things under control, and one of his demands is sure to get some pushback .
Goodell released a statement Monday telling there was ” no greater priority for me as the commissioner of the National Football League than protecting the integrity of our sport .”
He went on to say the league had spent” considerable day” planning for a time when
sports betting would be more widespread, and he called on Congress to enact standards to keep everything on the up and up .
From the NFL :
” We are asking Congress to enact uniform standards for states that choose to legalize athletics betting that include, at a minimum, four core principles :
There must be substantial consumer protections ;
Sports leagues can protect our content and intellectual property from those who attempt to steal or misuse it ;
Fans will have access to official, dependable league data; and Law enforcement will have the resources, monitoring and enforcement tools necessary to protect our fans and penalize bad actors here at home and abroad .”
While point Nos. 1, 3, and 4 may seem obvious, the second one is likely to end up being controversial .
Reactions from Other Major Leagues
Other major leagues, including the MLB and NHL, have echoed the NFL's call for standardized regulations. They aim to ensure that the integrity of their sports remains intact amidst the burgeoning sports betting industry.
Both leagues have expressed concerns about game-fixing and emphasize the need for comprehensive monitoring. Official statements from these leagues highlight their desire for Congress to step in and establish clear guidelines that protect their interests and fan base.
Controversial Agreement
As already proposed by the NBA, the NFL appears to be establishing a position in which it wants to receive some of the revenue from athletics betting. The NBA's commissioner, Adam Silver, called it an” integrity fee .”
[su_quote style=”carbon”]” A 1% fee, call it integrity fee, call it a royalty to the league ,” Silver said during All-Star Weekend.” I would only say from the NBA's standpoint we will spend this year roughly $7.5 billion creating this content, creating these games. Those are total expenses for the season. So this notion that as the intellectual property creators that we should receive a 1% fee seems very fair to me .”[/su_quote]
Silver may have a case, but that 1% is almost certainly not coming out of the profits from the
casinos and sportsbooks. Instead, it would most likely mean up-front fees for the gamblers or larger vigs (the difference between what is wagered and won). In other words, it would abruptly become harder for betters to turn a profit and less desirable to start gambling legally .
Economic Impact of Sports Betting Legalization
The legalization of sports betting has significantly impacted the economy, contributing billions in revenue for states that have embraced these new markets. The increased availability of legal gambling options has attracted a broader range of bettors.
This shift has led to higher engagement levels among sports fans and transformed the dynamics of the gambling industry. States like New Jersey and Nevada have reported considerable financial benefits, revealing the economic potential tied to regulated sports betting.
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