NFL Beefs Up Sports Betting Rules After Recent ControversiesPlayers Now Face Harsher Penalties For Violating Gambling Rules |
|
In light of an offseason that saw several players suspended for sports betting issues, the NFL has announced changes to the league’s gambling policy.
That includes harsher punishments for players wagering on their own teams, with even the possibility of a lifetime ban from the league.
A few players who were already suspended also received somewhat of a get-out-of-jail-free card, meaning their suspensions were relaxed after penalties for some infractions were lowered.
“The NFL and NFL Players Association share a longstanding and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the game,” the league and NFL Players Association said in a statement on Friday. “The NFL periodically reviews the gambling policy in consultation with the NFLPA and clubs to ensure it is responsive to changing circumstances and fully addresses this commitment.”
Harsher Punishment
After decades of stating the opposite, the NFL has embraced the booming sports betting market in recent years, including adding DraftKings and FanDuel as gaming partners. That hasn’t come without controversy in recent months after 10 players were suspended during the offseason because of gambling-related offenses.
The league has now taken some action to stem off some of those issues. Those wagering on any NFL game will also be suspended for at least a year. A player betting on his own team now faces at least a two-year suspension.
And it’s not just for NFL games. Players betting on other sports while at a team facility or during team travel will also now receive a two-game suspension for a first-time offense. A second violation comes with a six-game suspension, with at least a year for a third occurrence.
Commissioner Roger Goodell also has leeway based on individual cases, behavior, and “the player in question’s access to confidential information or an ability to affect a game in any way, among other factors,” according to the league.
“The NFL is strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of the NFL, its games, clubs, players, coaches, and other league and club personnel,” the league’s gambling policy notes. “Gambling, particularly on NFL games or other sports, presents potential risks to the integrity of our competition and can negatively impact team cohesion.”
Players Get Released From Suspension
Along with strengthening penalties, the NFl gambling update also reduced some. That led to a few players being reinstated or seeing their suspensions reduced.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere, and free agent wide receiver Stanley Berryhill were all reinstated on Monday. Williams and Petit-Frere were serving six-game suspensions for violating the gambling policy. Berryhill was also suspended six games while also with the Lions.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
