American Gaming Association critical of NFL

The National Football League’s arbitrary cancellation of a fantasy football convention in Las Vegas last week has prompted the land gambling trade body American Gaming Association to publicly criticise the League for its inconsistent policies against partnerships with casinos, which the Association claims is reflective of an “outdated view of gaming.”

Firing off the AGA broadside was public affairs officer Sara Rayme, who emphasised that the casino industry is well regulated and that sports gaming is a form of mainstream entertainment.

“The NFL’s inconsistent policies against associations with casinos – a heavily regulated, Fortune 500 industry approved by 90 percent of Americans – reflects an outdated view of gaming,” Rayme said in a statement. “In fact, 27 NFL teams (all but 5) are located in markets with legal, regulated casinos.

“Many of the stadiums are within close proximity to the casinos themselves creating a synergistic entertainment complex. It is only a matter of time before such thinking in organizations like the NFL evolves and acknowledges the reality that gaming, like professional sports, is a form of mainstream entertainment.”

Just for good measure, Rayme pointed out that land casino gaming is a $240 billion industry that supports 1.7 million jobs.

“We look forward to continuing to educate the NFL about our industry and how our businesses are inextricably linked,” she concluded.