In light of a half-dozen players getting caught violating the league’s gambling policy in the last couple months, the NFL held a conference call on Tuesday to discuss said policy and player education.
Specifically, the league laid out six key points, presented in slideshow format:
- Don’t bet on the NFL
- Don’t gamble at your team facility, while traveling for a road game, or staying at a team hotel
- Don’t have someone bet for you
- Don’t share team “inside information”
- Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season
- Don’t play daily fantasy football
The first rule is clearly the most important. Betting on the NFL includes anything having to do with the league, including the draft and post-season awards, not just games. Players who violate this rule are suspended indefinitely.
Basically, the message that will be emphasized with the players and coaches is to never, ever bet on the NFL and if you are going to bet on another sport, never do it in a sportsbook during the season or at any time when it could be even remotely interpreted that you are “at work.”
NFL chief compliance officer Sabrina Perel said that sportsbooks will contact the league if a player logs into a gambling app using his own name.
In April, five players were suspended for violating league gambling rules. Four were on the Detroit Lions: wide receivers Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill, and Jameson Williams, and safety D.J. Moore. Also suspended was Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. Cephus, Moore, and Toney were all suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games, while Berryhill and Williams were suspended for six games for betting on other sports while at the Lions’ facility.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was under investigation for “pervasive” wagering activities. It later came out that an “associate” of his opened a sportsbook account and placed about 100 bets, mostly in the $25-$50 range. Some bets were on the Colts. Rodgers’ punishment has not been handed down yet, but if all of this is confirmed, it will likely be an indefinite suspension.
In March 2022 Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Calvin Ridley was banned indefinitely for placing three parlay bets, all involving the Falcons to win, while away from the team in Florida. He was trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason and his application for reinstatement after a year was approved by the league.
