As sports betting becomes increasingly prominent, especially within the NFL fan base, there are many concerns about players’ treatment. However, it’s become so popular that it’s harmful to some players.
Many times, people will bet on a specific player or team, and if they feel they lost the bet because of them, they will lash out and threaten them online. That’s why the NFL will ban fans from games if they have ever gone online and threatened a player.
“NFL head of security Cathy Lanier says threats toward players from fans, sometimes fueled by fantasy football or sports betting losses, have increased in recent years,” wrote David Purdum of ESPN in a tweet. “The NFL has a process in place to identify and ban fans who threaten players from attending games.”
However, some people online think the NFL should be taking a different approach to these bettors.
“Perhaps NFL could work with betting and fantasy companies to help out those fans. They clearly have gambling problem and after all those companies are the big advocates of responsible gambling,” wrote one commenter.
“Simple solution for players … ignore it?” said another.
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Either way, though, this is a smart measure the NFL is taking to protect players and even their families from harmful threats.
Sports Betting Increases Views For The NFL
Not only do sports betting and ad revenue generate a lot of money for the NFL, but they also increase the number of views games get.
“The NFL and other leagues have discovered that the growing amount wagered on games is key to building viewership in an age of greater competition between networks and streaming services,” wrote Chris Isidore of CNN.
It’s one of the key factors in why the NFL continues to promote betting despite not allowing its own players to partake.
