The NFL has detailed all of its recent efforts to prevent its players from running afoul of its gambling rules.
Per The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler, a memo from the league lists the initiatives that have been put in place, including a required training video for all NFL rookies that focuses on “the importance of maintaining game integrity.”
The league says the mandatory video for rookies reinforces two key rules: “never bet on NFL games, and do not gamble (no bets on sports, casino or card games) while with the team in any capacity (team facility, stadium, hotel, bus etc.).”
The NFL said it has also “strongly recommended” all teams undergo an in-person training presentation with a member of the league’s compliance team.
That session reportedly covers the mandatory rookie gambling material and also goes into areas like “restrictions on doing promotional appearances, owning stock in gambling companies etc., and more on responsible betting.”
The NFL also touts other initiatives like signage in team facilities, advocacy work with the NFLPA and “Integrity of the Game” clauses in all player contracts.
here’s what the NFL says it’s doing to educate players on the gambling policy…
as we’ve seen this offseason, it’s too little, too latehttps://t.co/e4z9xl9vrI pic.twitter.com/tRlWxOPpYA— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) June 16, 2023
Gambling has been at the forefront of the NFL ever since Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley was given a yearlong suspension for betting on NFL games while he was with the Atlanta Falcons.
Ridley has spoken out recently about his suspension, hoping it will inspire other players to avoid the gambling infractions he committed.
In the spring, a handful of NFL players were suspended at varying lengths for gambling violations. This month, an Indianapolis Colts player found himself under investigation for a similar reason.
One of the players suspended in the spring for six games was Detroit Lions receiver Jameson Williams, who said he wasn’t aware he was violating any NFL gambling policy by engaging in non-NFL sports betting on team grounds as a rookie.