Concerns around gambling in the NFL have intensified as many players have been suspended while others await their punishment.
The NFL is redoubling its efforts to reinforce the league’s gambling policy to players in the wake of a rash of recent violations. One team in the league is not wasting any time and making sure their players are following league policy.
According to a report from Childs Walker of The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the team directly about the dangers of defying the NFL’s rules against gambling. Players may be tempted to gamble since the league has partnerships with gaming companies across the board. The Ravens, for example, are in the midst of the second year of a partnership with BetMGM.
Head coach John Harbaugh encouraged players to ask for clarification they went out and did something that would cost them and the team.
“The clearest thing would be [to] just stay away from it, but guys are going to be on vacation, and they may play Blackjack or whatever,” Harbaugh said. “There’s nothing wrong with that, if they do that. But it is very clear in terms of sports gambling, in terms of where you can be during the season, those kinds of things, and in terms of not betting on football — period, end of story. That’s pretty darn clear.”
The NFL has not been afraid to crack down on those who defy their rules.
Former Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley found out the hard way when he was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season due to betting during a leave of absence. Ridley has been reinstated upon a trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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That was not enough to scare players as five more were assessed suspension in April. That group was headlined by Detroit Lions second-year standout Jameson Williams, who was charged six games for betting on non-NFL events at a league facility.
Players are prohibited from betting on any NFL activity or having someone else place wagers for them.
It is simply not worth it.
