In the wake of the gambling scandal sweeping the NBA this week, the NFL sent out two memos — the subject of one was league and club staff, and the other was players — both obtained by The Athletic, to remind players, coaches and league personnel of the importance of adhering to its gambling policy.
The NFL Players Association sent players a reminder about gambling protocols, independent of the league’s memos. The NFLPA said that players “should be aware that the NFL is monitoring player podcasts and investigating those that may be associated with or sponsored by any gambling entity.” It also outlined what is and is not permitted under the league’s gambling policy.
The NFL’s rules on gambling are stricter for non-playing personnel than they are for players. Players can, subject to some prohibitions, gamble on sports other than the NFL. Non-playing team and league personnel cannot bet on the NFL or any other sport.
The NFL Gambling Policy for Players defines “gambling” broadly as “’the wagering of money or other things of value, on an event with an uncertain outcome with the intent of winning additional money or thing(s) of value,’” as Sabrina Perel, the NFL’s chief compliance officer, cited from a memo she sent Sept. 23, 2025. “Prediction markets offer the opportunity for customers to buy or sell ‘event contracts’ regarding whether an event will happen.
“Specifically, a contract for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ position on that event (such as the outcome of an NFL game or a Running Back rushing for more than 100 yards), set at a price based on a probability of that event happening. Placing a bet or buying or selling a contract on a prediction market is no different than placing a bet through a sportsbook under our Gambling Policy.”
In the recent lengthy memo to players, the NFL distinctly outlined what is prohibited, including placing any bet on NFL football, throwing or fixing any NFL game or event, or otherwise manipulating or attempting to manipulate any play or other aspect of an NFL game and sharing confidential, non-public information regarding any NFL game, player or event with any third party.
Both memos referred to the 2025 NFL Gambling Policy Points of Emphasis document. That document lists activities that constitute gambling, including “betting on sporting events or other athletic competitions, including placing wagers at sportsbooks and similar establishments; betting on card, dice or video games (including poker, in any of its variations, and e-sports games or tournaments); playing casino games (e.g., slot machines, blackjack, keno, roulette, craps); betting on animal racing; or participating in ‘sports pools,’ including pay-to-play squares contests.”
The document stated that NFL personnel may participate in legal non-sports gambling on personal time (when not traveling on club or league business), including during the season. It also outlines reporting obligations, which include reporting any gambling debt greater than $10,000.
“You are reminded that you are prohibited from participating in, or facilitating, any form of illegal gambling — whether on sports, casino games, or otherwise,” the NFL’s memo to league and club staff said. “This includes betting on a website or app, through a ‘bookie,’ or any form of betting in states where it is not legal. Not only are League and Club Staff expressly prohibited from placing any wager on NFL games, players, and/or activities, such as the Draft, such conduct will also likely subject individuals to criminal prosecution as various state laws ban insiders (like League and Club Staff) from betting on their own sports …
“We all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the Shield by ensuring that our game is played fairly and honestly. We must also take appropriate steps to safeguard the game against gambling-related risks that may undermine the confidence and trust of the fans.”
The NFL has encountered issues related to gambling in recent years. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games, including Atlanta Falcons games, which was the team he played for at the time.
“I just f–ed up. Period,” Ridley wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “In a dark moment, I made a stupid mistake. I wasn’t trying to cheat the game. That’s the thing I want to make clear. At the time, I had been completely away from the team for about a month. I was still just so depressed and angry, and the days were so long. I was looking for anything to take my mind off of things and make the day go by faster.”
In 2023, the NFL suspended Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, who missed four games after his initial six-game suspension was reduced, for placing a bet on a non-NFL game from an NFL facility.