A strict new gambling rule has been implemented in Las Vegas for this weekend.
Typically, a weekend in Sin City might feature a few pricey drinks by a pool, a dinner out, maybe an Adele concert and of course, a lot of time in the casinos.
But not for a specific lot of people who will be in the Californian city for a huge even on this particular weekend.
Loading…
And while they’re there, the teams have to follow the NFL’s strict gambling policy and tackle clear of the casinos.
Usually, the players are allowed to gamble on other sports during the regular part of the season.
But as the Super Bowl approaches (which has never been held in Vegas before) the Chiefs and 49ers are forbidden from betting on anything at all.
The members of the NFL teams also can’t play a bit of blackjack or roulette or any other games offered at the countless Vegas casinos.
The executive vice president of communications at the NFL, Jeff Miller, said during a media briefing earlier this week: “When on business there is no gambling, whether it be sports gambling or otherwise.
“And any player, coach, personnel, yours truly, who would be caught or identified gambling in a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process.”
He also added that anyone from either of the Chiefs or 49ers found violating this strict gambling policy would be ‘addressed in the normal course of discipline’ by the NFL.
Turns out though, if players or staff did hope to get some gambling in, they’d need to make quite the journey anyway.
Both teams are staying in separate hotels around 25 miles away from the Las Vegas Strip.
Miller explained this wasn’t necessarily done to deter gambling, but more just to accommodate the NFL teams and their families as it allows for both more privacy and rooms.
He said: “And any player, coach, personnel, yours truly, who would be caught or identified gambling in a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process.
“The clubs most certainly value the opportunity to prepare for the game as they best want to without any potential distractions and that would be true any year.”
Please gamble responsibly. For help, support and advice about problem gambling, contact the National Gambling Helpline anytime on 0808 8020 133.