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Over the past couple of years, a number of NFL players have landed in hot water for gambling, and it seems like the league is just begging for more names to get added to that list thanks to the stance it’s taking prior to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
The NFL is just one of the many organizations that have embraced sports betting with open arms since it was legalized in 2018, and plenty of people have accused it of hypocrisy by promoting sportsbooks and odds at seemingly every turn while bringing the hammer down on players who decide to get in on the action.
In 2023, ten players were suspended after the NFL determined they violated the rules they’re expected to abide by, and while it’s easy to understand why the league is erring on the side of caution when it comes to trying to preserve the integrity of the sport, it does seem like it’s a bit too eager to punish guys who haven’t really done anything to undermine it.
This year, Super Bowl LVIII will be held at Allegiant Stadium in the heart of Las Vegas, and there’s little doubt most of the people who flock to Sin City for The Big Game will be taking advantage of the many ways you can win (and mostly lose) money in the gambling mecca.
However, according to Front Office Sports, players who earn the right to compete for the Lombardi Trophy will be firmly banned from partaking in those vices, as the NFL has released a policy that states:
While in Las Vegas, players participating in the Super Bowl are prohibited from engaging in any form of gambling, including casino games and betting on any sport.
It’s worth noting that this only applies to the players (and, presumably, coaches and other personnel) who are affiliated with the teams representing the AFC and NFC in the Super Bowl; anyone else in town for the festivities can hit the tables and slots, but they can’t enter a sportsbook or place a bet on NFL games.
It feels like the NFL is just asking for trouble here, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.