What are the 6 key rules that the NFL has outlined to combat gambling?
Following recent gambling controversies, the NFL has stepped up its efforts to crack down on the practice and has now unveiled new guidelines for players.
As the NFL continues to go through the process of sanctioning players who recently violated its gambling policy, it seems the league has now gone further by outlining a set of rules for players to follow when it comes to placing bets.
The context behind the NFL’s new guidelines
Earlier this month, the NFL began an investigation into Indianapolis Colts cornerback, Isaiah Rodgers, after it was alleged that he had created a sporstbook account in an associate’s name and placed more than 100 bets, including on his own team. The controversy followed another gambling scandal that was reported on just a few months earlier in April when Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, and Stanley Berryhill of the Colts as well, along with Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders were all suspended after the league determined that they had violated its gambling policy. This is all to say, that whether it was due to ignorance or indifference, players were not following the rules. With that in mind, the league has now taken the step of outlining a key set of guidelines to assist players in their interpretation of the policy itself.
What 6 key anti-gambling rules must NFL players follow
During a conference call that the NFL hosted on Tuesday, the gambling policy as well as education on it was discussed. Below you can see the 6 key regulations that players must follow:
It’s important to note that players are allowed to gamble on sports, simply not the NFL or any NFL-related event such as the Draft, Honors, or even fantasy. To be clear, gambling of any kind is strictly prohibited while players are on the job. Incidentally, that’s what the above-mentioned Williams and Berryhill were found guilty of doing - betting on another sport while at work - which is why they received six-game suspensions as opposed to indefinite ones like their colleagues. Interestingly, NFL chief compliance officer, Sabrina Perel, also stated during the conference call that should a player use his own name on a gambling app, the league will be notified, before adding that rookies will now be subjected to mandatory training on the gambling policy.