NFL Issues Reminders to Player to Comply with League Gambling Rules

The unfolding scandal that is rocking the NBA and, most recently, the MLB, has prompted the National Football League (NFL) to issue new reminders to its players, cautioning them against engaging in prohibited gambling activity and, most of all, colluding with third parties to influence the outcomes of betting results.

NFL Issues Reminder to Players – Tells Them to Comply with Gambling Rules

In a memo shared with teams on Thursday, the NFL reminded players to be mindful of the do’s and don’ts under the league’s betting and gambling rules. The Associated Press saw a copy of the memo and reported the news originally:

“We have actively engaged with both state lawmakers and regulators, as well as with our sports betting partners, to limit — and where possible prohibit altogether — prop bets in the NFL. Our commercial agreements are regularly reviewed and updated to prohibit wagers that are tied to the kind of conduct that was identified in recent federal law enforcement activity, and we maintain regular contact with state officials to ensure that these wagers are appropriately addressed.”

The NFL has prohibited several wagers, among which are markets that are “designed to be derogatory or inflammatory,” or otherwise go against public policy – for example, player injuries, fan safety, or misconduct.

Players are also prohibited from engaging in bets that are tied to officials or officiating, i.e., officiating assignments, penalties, or replays. Prop bets such as a kicker to miss a field goal or a quarterback’s first pass to be incomplete are also on the banned list.

NFL Not Only One Grappling with Fear of Lingering Corruption

Predetermined outcomes, such as whether a quarterback will start or a team’s first play will be a run or pas,s are also restricted. The NFL’s Gambling Policy has become increasingly sophisticated and confusing, but most players are simply advised not to engage with any type of sports gambling that is tied to football as a rule of thumb.

They are also encouraged not to place bets on sports that they have connections with, such as friend pro athletes or other insiders. In the meantime, the MLB and sportsbooks have announced that they are capping prop bets at $200 for certain baseball plays, designed to safeguard the game against corrupt practices.