Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

NFL calls for betting standards following sports gambling ruling

U.S. Supreme Court Lifts Ban to Allow Sports Betting On Monday, the Supreme Court struck down the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA), which prohibited states from sports betting. Backed by 25 other states, New Jersey won the landmark ruling after Gov. Chris Christie and other lawmakers argued the decision was unconstitutional. “Congress can regulate sports gambling directly, but if it elects not to do so, each State is free to act on its own.” “"Our job is to interpret the l
May 21, 2018

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Congress should enact uniform standards for any states that plan to legislate sports betting.

Goodell detailed the league's position in a statement Monday that reiterated the NFL's stance that legalized sports gambling in the United States should be governed by federal law rather than state law. The Supreme Court ruled last week to strike down a 1992 law that barred most state-authorized sports gambling.

» Jeff Schultz: Court ruling will have unintended consequences

Goodell says the standards should give sports leagues the right “to protect our content and intellectual property from those who attempt to steal or misuse it.” Goodell also wants law enforcement to be able to “protect our fans and penalize bad actors here at home and abroad.”

Goodell also is seeking consumer protections as well as fan access to official and reliable league data. He said the NFL would support “common-sense legislation that protects our players, coaches and fans and maintains public confidence in our games.”

More Stories

Keep Reading

An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a paper bag on their head during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons report card: Bad marks for getting blown out

Only a few position groups escaped earning failing grades in the Falcons report card after a 37-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Falcons’ porous kickoff coverage unit flipped the momentum in the game  

The Falcons special teams have struggled all year and allowed a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half in a 37-9 loss to the Seahawks.

4 quick takeaways from Falcons’ loss to Seahawks

The Falcons' offense and special teams struggled yet again in a 37-9 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday, dropping the Falcons to 3-9 and ensuring they finish with a losing record.

The Latest

An Atlanta Falcons fan wears a paper bag on their head during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons report card: Bad marks for getting blown out

Falcons’ porous kickoff coverage unit flipped the momentum in the game  

Falcons’ Arthur Blank has become bad franchise owner

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.