NFL reminds players of league’s gambling policy in light of federal indictments

The NFL reminded his players on Friday that they are prohibited from participating in any form of illegal gambling and betting in league matches.

In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league asked all 32 teams on Friday to reiterate key aspects of their gambling policies and make the document readily available to players.

“We all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the Shield by ensuring that our game is played fairly, honestly and to the best of a player’s ability,” the NFL governing council wrote in a memo. “NFL players must also take appropriate steps to protect the game from gambling-related risks that can undermine the confidence and trust of fans.”

The reminder follows an FBI investigation into illegal gambling activities that resulted in an arrest NBA coach Chauncey Billups from Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and others.

“These developments highlight the risks that all sports face in the current environment and serve as a reminder of the need to strictly adhere to the NFL’s gambling policy,” the NFL wrote.

According to NFL policy, players may not:

• place any bet on NFL football;
• rig or fix any NFL game or event, or otherwise manipulate or attempt to manipulate any game or other aspect of an NFL game;
• share confidential, non-public information regarding any NFL game, player or event with any third party.

“That theme comes up every year,” Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “There’s a certain amount of presentation. It’s tough. … Obviously, it affects the sports world and somebody who’s a close friend of a lot of us, myself included, and you hate it. So, obviously, none of that is worth it. … We’ve got to be pretty diligent about it.”

The NFL Players Association sent a similar memo to players on Friday, stressing that they should not bet on the NFL, gamble on the team or while traveling to a game or stay at a team hotel, have someone bet for them, share “inside information,” enter a sportsbook during the NFL season except to access another part of the casino or promote any form of gambling. or any form of gambling.

NFL players are allowed to legally bet on other sports as long as they are not owned by a club or travel with the team. They are also allowed to participate in traditional fantasy football leagues (the prize pool cannot exceed $250) and to gamble legally in casinos on their own time.

Associated Press reports.

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