The NFL has stepped up its gambling policy and integrity enforcement efforts following a successful offseason.
No players have been suspended for gambling violations in the past 13 months, and the league has taken further action to continue this trend.
This past offseason, the NFL suspended 10 players for gambling violations, including three members of the Indianapolis Colts who were suspended indefinitely by the league and subsequently fired. Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who was given a one-year suspension in July 2023, was the latest player to be reinstated from a suspension.
In-person gambling policy education and training will be mandatory for all players by 2024. The education and training, prepared in partnership with the NFL Players Association, revises the rules and strengthens integrity provisions in the policy, including two key rules: Never wager on NFL games, and No gambling — no sports betting, casino or card games — while with the team in any capacity, including in a team facility, stadium, hotel or bus.
The league says that “education and training are provided to players – typically at the team’s facility – by a member of the NFL’s compliance team, the team’s head of player engagement (often a former player), or by other former NFL players using a ‘train the trainer’ approach.” For example, Chiefs Hall of Fame guard Will Shields serves in that role in Kansas City.
The six most important rules for NFL players are:
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Never bet on the NFL, including the NFL Draft, Combine, Pro Bowl and prizes.
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Don’t let anyone bet for you: Don’t ask your family, friends, or others to bet for you.
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Do not gamble (no betting on sports, casino or card games) on your team or in the stadium, during an away game or while staying in a team hotel.
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Do not share ‘inside information’ of the team: Do not share information that has not been disclosed by the team.
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Don’t bet at a sportsbook during the NFL season.
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Don’t play daily fantasy football.
Coaches, staff and team members are not allowed to bet on any sport.
Educating players about gambling is a top priority. But to ensure the integrity of the game, each team is assigned an NFL integrity representative – typically retired FBI/executive level police officers. Their responsibilities include monitoring the venue for suspicious activity on game days. ESPN reports that spotters have the freedom to navigate the stadium during games, from the sidelines to the press box – where certain coaches and support staff work.
Genius Sports and IC360 continue to monitor every game and major NFL events for bets that could indicate game manipulation or a leak of non-public information.
The NFL also remains committed to impactful responsible gambling initiatives. The league has extended its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling with a three-year, $6.4 million grant.
The league originally awarded the NCPG a $6.2 million, three-year grant in October 2021. NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte said the funding was used to bolster the national 1-800-Gambler helpline, flexibility grants to help prevent problem gambling among high school and college students and communities disproportionately affected by problem gambling, and an initiative targeting sports bettors called ResponsiblePlay.org.
The grants are targeted at programs that minimize harm at the primary level – for people who have not yet gambled – and at the secondary level – for people with limited gambling experience.
“This partnership has been critical in advancing our mission to minimise gambling-related harm,” said Whyte.
According to NCPG data, total contacts via national helpline calls, chat, and text messages have increased 104% since 2020. Since its launch in 2021, ResponsiblePlay.org has welcomed 753,000 new users.
“This is a great example of how the league can use its platform and reach to tackle an issue that previously hasn’t attracted much attention,” said Whyte.
