NFL players punished for sports betting

With sports betting becoming increasingly popular in today’s society, the NFL has reinforced their rules on gambling. According to their Gambling Policy, “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.”

In the last few years, several players have been suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy. As a result, the NFL has taken an approach to clarify their sports betting regulations and educate players on acceptable and unacceptable practices. This article will cover players recently suspended for sports betting, the history of the NFL and gambling, rules for players at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, and how the league is embracing sports wagering. 

NFL Players Suspended for Betting on Sports

Since 2022, Eleven players have been suspended from their teams for violating the league’s gambling policy. Two of the most high-profile suspensions include former Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley and current Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams. Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on his own team’s games while away from the team in 2021. Williams, who was the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, was suspended 6 games for betting on a non-football sport within team facilities.

Other players who were suspended for sports betting since 2022:

• Lions WR Stanley Berryhill was suspended 6 games for betting on college football games while at the team facilities. He was released by the team on May 10, 2023.

• Lions WR Quintez Cephus and S C.J. Moore were both suspended indefinitely; at least one year. Both were released from the Lions and are currently Free Agents. 

• Commanders DE Shaka Toney bet on NFL games while he was an active player, resulting in an indefinite suspension of at least one year. Toney is still under contract in the Commanders organization. 

• Colts CB Isaiah Rodgers and DE Rashod Berry were both suspended indefinitely on June 29, 2023 and released immediately after betting on NFL games. Per ESPN, Rodgers placed more than 100 bets including a $1,000 prop bet on RB Jonathan Taylor, his own teammate.

• Free Agent DE Demetrius Taylor was indefinitely suspended, at least one year. Taylor played in one game for the Lions in 2022 but is now a free agent.

• Titans OT Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended 6 games for betting on sports in the team facility.

• Broncos DE Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games during his rookie season. 

History of the NFL and Sports Betting + Fantasy

The exponential growth of sports wagering in the United States was made possible ever since the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) in 2018, which provided an opportunity for states outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting. Back in August 2012, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell lobbied against overturning PAPSA because it “threatens to damage irreparably the integrity of, and public confidence in, NFL football.”

The NFL was also not pleased with players becoming involved in fantasy football. Back in 2015, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo organized the National Fantasy Football Convention in Las Vegas with nearly 100 players scheduled to attend. Once the NFL heard of this, they stepped in and threatened to fine players that attended because it was being held at a casino. As a result, the convention was canceled. Romo tried again in 2016, this time moving the Convention to Pasadena, but was ultimately shut down again due to partnership issues.

Rules for NFL Players at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas

NFL Players on Super Bowl teams 

The Big Game is being played in the gambling capital of the United States: Las Vegas. The NFL implemented a new policy that applies specifically for players on the 49ers and Chiefs who are in town to play in the Super Bowl. In simple terms, 49ers and Chiefs players cannot gamble in any form while in Vegas including casino games, sports wagering, or anything of that nature. Any player that gets caught will face at least a one-year suspension.

Other NFL Players at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas 

Players on teams not competing in the Super Bowl also have to follow certain rules regarding sports betting. Players visiting Las Vegas cannot place a bet on the Super Bowl or participate in DFS. Furthermore, no NFL players are allowed to enter a sportsbook until after the game ends. The difference is that players not playing in the Super Bowl can gamble in casinos and bet on other sports, all except for the NFL.

NFL Embracing Sports Betting

NFL partnerships with sportsbooks

The league changed their stance on sports gambling around 2017 when the NFL approved the Raiders relocation to Las Vegas. Furthermore, the 2018 ruling by the Supreme Court to overturn PAPSA was another event that influenced the NFL to rethink their views on gambling. What once would “irreparably harm” the integrity of the game has become immersed into the NFL. The league has embraced sports betting and now has multiple sportsbook partnerships - FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars Entertainment, BetMGM.

NFL teams are also embracing gambling as well. The Washington Commanders have partnered with Fanatics Sportsbook to bring the first sportsbook inside an NFL stadium. It may only be a matter of time before other teams in legal betting jurisdictions also have sportsbooks within their stadiums.

Sports betting in NFL broadcasts

With the ever-evolving landscape of gambling within the NFL, broadcasts have had to adjust as well. For years and years, the NFL prohibited any references to gambling. Legendary announcer Al Michaels used subtle references to point spreads or game totals. Now, Michaels and other announcers are allowed to make some select gambling references, which he admits isn’t as fun as his sneaky mentions.

Nowadays, sports betting advertisements are pervasive when watching a game or other programming. The NFL has said that Super Bowl viewers will only see three sports wagering ads throughout the broadcast of the game. Every year, pregame shows seem to increase the number of discussions relating to gambling.

The NFL has to tiptoe across a fine line because sports gambling is a massive new part of its revenue. The league must make sure that this evolution of gambling does not corrupt the players and the product on the field. The NFL’s objective is to maintain the integrity of the sport while also boosting their revenue through sports betting. The players must respect the game and avoid wagering, even though the league’s positioning may be seen as hypocritical.