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A new survey of 53 players conducted by ESPN has revealed that many of them are not happy with the league’s gambling policy. One even called it “pointless.”
Before the proliferation of sports betting apps, which the NFL has helped make tons and tons of money, it was extremely rare for a player to be punished for gambling.
However, over the past couple of years, players like Calvin Ridley, Jameson Williams, Nicholas Petit Frere, Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry have all received suspensions for wagering on sports.
This year alone, 10 players have been suspended over gambling.
In June, Jeff Miller, the NFL Executive VP of Communications and Player Health and Safety, outlined six key rules for players when it comes to gambling.
1. Don’t bet on the NFL.
2. Don’t gamble at your team facility, while traveling for a road game, or staying at a team hotel.
3. Don’t have someone bet for you.
4. Don’t share team “inside information.”
5. Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season.
6. Don’t play daily fantasy football.
While most of those seem pretty obvious, it’s rules two and three on the list that appear to be causing confusion.
“I would like to see that changed,” one player said about rule number two. “[The suspended players] may have just not understood the rule. That is unfortunate.”
Another player echoed that sentiment, telling ESPN, “Everybody understood not betting on NFL games. But I think a lot of us, even including myself, was not aware of not being able to bet on other sports, especially when it came on league time — in team hotels, on the bus. You would think it was just in the facility. I don’t think a lot of guys truly understood what it meant by ‘when you [are] on the league’s time.'”
Some players also don’t understand why they are allowed to gamble at some times, but not at others.
“You’re telling me that if I walk 10 feet from the [facility’s] door it doesn’t matter anymore? I just think that’s kind of dumb. It’s pointless. I don’t see how that’s helping anything,” one player said to ESPN.
“So, if I walk across the street and place a bet, is that legal?” asked another player. “If I walk out of the building, is that legal? I think there needs to be some more specifics on it.”
Another wanted to know, “Why can’t players bet on other sports that don’t compromise the integrity of the game?”
Commanders punter Tress Way, one of the few players to not request anonymity, said, “If a guy’s in the facility betting on the NBA Finals. I have a tough time seeing how that’s a big deal. But it’s not my call. Maybe in time we’ll see ways to clarify.”