NFL increases gambling policy education, integrity monitoring efforts after successful offseason

The National Football League (NFL) has increased its gambling policy education and integrity monitoring efforts after a successful offseason. There have not been any players suspended for gambling violations in 13 months, and the league has taken more steps to keep that trend going.

In-person gambling policy education and training is mandatory for all players in 2024.  The education and training, prepared in collaboration with the NFL Players Association, reviews the rules and reinforces integrity provisions in the policy, including the two key rules: never bet on NFL games, and do not gamble while with the team in any capacity.

"We learned from last year when in-person education was optional, the benefits of presenting in-person, including increased engagement and awareness, the opportunity for players to ask questions," said Sabrina Perel, the NFL's Chief Compliance Officer. "So for all 32 teams this year, the education was conducted at the team facility during minicamps or training camp."

The education and training were presented to the players 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 the 'train the trainer' approach. For example, Chiefs Hall of Fame guard Will Shields served in that role in Kansas City.

The six main rules for NFL players are:

• Never bet on the NFL: This includes other NFL events such as the draft, combine, Pro Bowl, and NFL Honors.
• Don't have someone bet for you: Do not ask family, friends, or others to place a bet for you.
• Don't gamble (no bets on sports, casino, or card games) at your team facility or stadium, while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel.
• Don't share team 'inside information': Don't share information that hasn't been announced by the team.
• Don't enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season.
• Don't play daily fantasy football.

Coaches, staff, and personnel are not permitted to bet on any sports.

The NFL suspended 10 players last offseason for gambling violations, the Associated Press reported. Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who received a one-year suspension on July 24, 2023, was the last player reinstated.

Educating players about gambling has been a top priority, the league stated. NFL executive Jeffrey Miller said Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers received "multiple education training sessions" on the league's gambling policy after Nabers said on a podcast following the NFL draft that they would bet each other $10,000 on which would win the offensive rookie of the year award.

To ensure the integrity of the game, an NFL integrity representative -- typically retired FBI/executive level police officers -- is assigned to each team. Their responsibilities include monitoring for suspicious activity on-site on game days.

Genius Sports and IC360 continue to monitor every game and key NFL events for any betting activity that may indicate game manipulation or a leak of nonpublic information.

"The world has changed dramatically as it relates to sports betting, and it's incumbent on us to maintain the integrity of our game against those new challenges that have come up the last few years," said Miller, the NFL's Executive Vice President of communications, public affairs, and policy.

The NFL also is continuing its commitment to impactful responsible gambling initiatives. The league has extended its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) with a three-year, $6.4 million grant.

"We have a very long history of supporting critical societal issues, and accommodating responsible gambling is an issue that we know is impacting people all across the country," said Anna Isaacson, the NFL's Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility. 

The grants focus on programs that minimize harm on a primary level, those who have not yet gambled -- and on a secondary level -- those who have limited gambling experience.