Can NFL players bet on the Super Bowl?
Published:
Feb 7, 2024
,
11:23 a.m.
ET
Updated:
Jan 31, 2025
,
05:51 p.m.
ET
Last year, the Super Bowl was held in Las Vegas, Nevada for the first time. As expected, the chosen location brought up a lot of questions regarding NFL players and other professional athletes betting on the big game. The short answer is no - NFL players can’t bet on the Super Bowl. Let’s take a deeper dive into the gambling rules by the NFL and other professional sports.
Rules for players playing in the Super Bowl
The NFL has made it crystal clear that all NFL players are forbidden from betting on NFL games. The policy states, “All NFL Personnel are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or indirectly through a third party, on any NFL game, practice or other event.”
That means no Chiefs or Eagles players can place a bet on Super Bowl 59. If a player breaks that rule, they are subject to a lengthy suspension. Last year in Vegas, Chiefs and 49ers players were allowed to enter casinos and gamble (but still no betting on the NFL of course) on Sunday night AFTER the big game was over.
Unsurprisingly, NFL referees cannot bet on the Super Bowl or other NFL games either.
Rules for other NFL players around the Super Bowl
It is common for NFL players not participating in the Super Bowl to travel and watch the big game. With that said, those players are still not allowed to bet on the NFL or enter a sportsbook. Although players can never bet on an NFL game regardless of the time of year, players not playing in the Super Bowl are allowed to gamble in casinos, playing table games or slots for example. Since their season is over, the prohibition on entering casinos does not apply to those players.
Rules for other professional athletes attending the Super Bowl
NBA
Although the NBA is in-season and not many NBA players will be able to attend the Super Bowl, they would still be allowed to bet on it. The NBA states that players can not bet on “the NBA, summer league, WNBA, G-League, Basketball Africa League or NBA2K League,” per ESPN. However, they are allowed to bet on other sports, including the NFL. New York Knicks guard Josh Hart has gone viral for tweeting about betting on NFL games saying he does it "For the love of the game.”
NHL
The NHL is very clear in its gambling policy: “Gambling on any NHL Game is prohibited.” But similar to the NBA’s rules, players are allowed to bet on non-NHL events, including the Super Bowl. If an NHL player attends the Super Bowl, they would be allowed to bet on the game.
MLB
It is against the rules for an MLB player to bet on anything related to baseball. That includes MLB and Minor League games and fantasy baseball. However, it is permitted for them to bet on any other sport, such as the NFL’s Super Bowl. Players may gamble in "jurisdictions in which such bets are legal.”
History of the NFL and Super Bowl
When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was struck down in 2018, the NFL was forced to adapt to sports betting becoming a part of the game, despite the league’s previous strong resistance to its legalization. Since 2018, the NFL has partnered with numerous sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars.
Relocating the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas was the first instance of the NFL and the city of Vegas building a relationship, and having the city host Super Bowl 58 demonstrated the growing trust between the two entities. Last year was the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, but it likely won’t be the last.
Dangers of sports betting
It’s important to remember that sports betting can lead to gambling addiction. Sportsbooks offer thousands of prop and novelty bets for the Super Bowl, which can lead to some people betting more money than they initially planned. Risking more than you can afford to lose can lead to mental and/or financial problems. Take the time to learn how to gamble responsibly and be sure to only bet what you can actually afford to lose.
Gambling Addiction help and resources
Fortunately, there is help available for those who may be struggling with gambling addiction. Birches Health offers convenient online care and a 24/7 care team ready to assist. All meetings with trained specialists are confidential and scheduled at convenient times that can fit your schedule.
Resources:
What Is the NFL’s Gambling Policy? NFL Betting Rules Explained (Updated 2024)
What are the NFL’s gambling rules for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas? - The Athletic
Players on the 49ers and Chiefs are barred from gambling in Vegas, until the game ends - NBC Sports
What it means: Supreme Court strikes down PASPA law that limited sports betting
