Some groups have never shied away from vocal opposition of online gaming. The Christian Coalition, for example, was a staunch supporter of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and the members of Congress who pushed it through. But as the time approaches for Rep. Barney Frank to introduce his pro-gaming legislation, one that he has been promising for months, another opponent has come to the forefront of the fight, and it happens to be the well-funded and popular National Football League.

It was reported by the Associated Press this weekend that the NFL has a lobbying plan to fight any online gaming legislation. In fact, the lobbyist was hired in 2008 to launch a political action committee and start seeking donations to the cause of preserving the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. With so much emphasis by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Frank on efforts to repeal the law, the NFL felt it necessary to put together a concerted effort to fight pro-gambling forces.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, gambling would be a threat to the “integrity of our game.” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy spoke on the issue: “We understand that illegal gambling currently occurs, but there is little we can do about that. However, we can exercise our right to oppose Internet betting on our games… Gambling on our games - online or off line - threatens the integrity of our games and all the values they represent.”

What McCarthy neglects to mention is that the NFL could simply focus its efforts on seeking a carve-out in any new online gaming legislation that may be proposed in the coming weeks or months, or the organization could ban wagering on NFL games. Instead, however, the lobbying efforts are said to oppose the legislation in its entirety.

And the NFL has potential allies in the NCAA and other professional sports leagues, all of whom supported the UIGEA in 2006. But football fans, on the other hand, are not so supportive of the efforts of the NFL, as the rising game ticket prices and those for food and drinks at the games are being used to pay for lobbying costs to fight a piece of legislation that has yet to be introduced to Congress. Fans of the game may not agree with McCarthy on his definition of integrity.

In the meantime, the Poker Players Alliance and other similar organizations are ready for the fight. Thanks to members of such groups and supporters like the Interactive Gaming Council, there is over $3 million set aside for lobbying Congress on behalf of any pro-gaming legislation.

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