National Football League players who bet on NFL games will face stiffer penalties under the league’s revised gambling policy, according to a memo shared Friday. group.
Gamblers who bet on games featuring their team will face a minimum two-year suspension, while betting on any NFL game will result in a minimum one-year suspension.
The revised NFL Player Gaming Policy we are releasing today provides this clarity and direction, and provides clear guidance to players on the consequences of violating the policy,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a note to clubs.
Players can still bet on non-NFL legal issues, as long as it is done outside the workplace. However, if this is done in the workplace, including places like locker rooms and gyms, they will be punished. They will face a two-match suspension for the first violation and harsher penalties for subsequent violations.
Attempting or attempting to rig a game will result in a permanent “ban” from the NFL.
The league said it is working with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to develop a program to notify players about policy changes.
“The NFL and NFL Players Association share a long-standing and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the game,” the league and NFLPA said in a joint statement.
“The NFL periodically reviews the Games Policy in consultation with the NFLPA and the Clubs to ensure it is responsive to changing circumstances and fully honors this commitment.”
Several NFL players have been sanctioned for gambling in the past two years as sports betting has become legal in many US states and has become increasingly accessible.
In May, the players’ association sounded the alarm over the use of sports betting apps, warning player agents that mobile gaming platforms could track customer activity their. The policy changes outlined Friday also pave the way for the reinstatement of three players after they were suspended for six games each for betting on non-NFL games on club premises.
Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Tennessee Titans and Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions will be allowed to rejoin their teams on October 2, while free agent Stanley Berryhill will regain his eligibility on October 3.
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