The NFL revised its gambling policies on Friday, making punishments harsher for players found to betting on their own teams (and the league), while also allowing some players previously suspended — like Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams — to return to the field more quickly.
Under the new policy, an NFL player who places a wager involving his own team will be suspended for at least two years (this would’ve been the case with Arizona Cardinals DB Josh Shaw in 2019 and Calvin Ridley in 2022). Bets placed by players on any NFL games will result in a suspension of at least one year.
“The revised gambling policy for NFL players that we are issuing today provides clarity and focus, and gives clear guidance to players about the consequences of violating the policy,” a memo sent to all 32 NFL teams from Roger Goodell on Friday read. “Specifically, it increases the minimum penalties for gambling and related activities in connection with NFL games.”
NFL and NFLPA are modifying its gambling policies. There now will be increased discipline for gambling on NFL games. Now a violation is one year, and two if a player bets on his own team.
Any game fixing will result in banishment.
Message from NFL-NFLPA: don’t bet on the NFL. pic.twitter.com/eCmEZoahBe
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2023
The NFL is reinstating #Lions WR Jameson Williams and #Titans OL Nicholas Petit-Frere effective Monday — two weeks before their gambling suspensions were set to end, per sources.
This is part of the newly agreed to policies related to gambling.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2023
In addition, the new policy reduces the suspensions for players betting on non-NFL sports while at a team facility or on NFL team-related travel, making it only two games for a first violation (instead of six).
An ESPN survey released in August found players wanted various changes to the league’s current gambling policies as it related to non-NFL wagering.
Importantly, the new policy also lays out stricter guidelines for other types of betting and betting behavior, including:
- Attempted or actual game fixing by a player results in permanent banishment from the NFL
- Inside information or tipping is an indefinite suspension, with a minimum of one year
- Proxy wagers — or having other people bet for a player — is also an indefinite suspension, with a minimum of one year
The policy applies to NFL players only; non-player NFL personnel remain subject to the 2023 Gambling Policy for NFL Personnel, per the memo. The memo also states that Goodell is working with the NFL Players Association to educate players on the new policies.