As Brooklyn federal prosecutors continue a historic probe into gambling improprieties in two professional sports leagues, the NFL is working actively with sportsbook partners to limit certain prop bets on regulated sites.
In a memo disseminated to all 32 teams on Thursday, the league wrote that it is working with legislators and regulators on the state level to limit and, where possible, “prohibit altogether” prop bets on the sport. The NFL cited the criminal probe as impetus for engaging with state leaders in reviewing props it views as detrimental to the integrity of the sport.
The league drew particular attention to props that can be controlled by one player on a specific play. The NFL alluded to wagers on a kicker to miss a field goal or for the next pass to fall incomplete, as examples that fit the criteria.
“Our commercial agreements are regularly reviewed and updated to prohibit wagers that are tied to the kind of conduct that was identified in recent federal law enforcement activity,” the NFL wrote in the memo. “We maintain regular contact with state officials to ensure that these wagers are appropriately addressed.”
Potential prohibited NFL prop bets
The league outlined several categories of prop wagers for further review:
- Inherently objectionable props: The NFL views these props as markets or bets that are inherently designed to be “derogatory, inflammatory or otherwise based on subject matter against public policy”. Props on player injuries, fan safety and misconduct fall within the category, according to the memo.
- Officiating-related bets: The league is pushing for restrictions on props associated with officiating. The NFL alluded to wagers on officiating assignments, penalties and replays there.
- Pre-determined outcome props: In this category, the NFL flagged wagering activity on pre-determined outcomes directly related to on-field competition. The NFL has frowned upon props on whether the first offensive play will be a run or a pass. The league is also deterring operators from offering props on which quarterback will start in a given week. On Polymarket, a leading prediction market website, customers can trade on whether Shedeur Sanders will start a game this season. The NFL issued a memo over the summer stating that it believes that trading on prediction markets constitutes “prohibited gambling activity”.
On the collegiate level, NCAA President Charlie Baker has barnstormed the country to advocate for a nationwide ban on props involving student-athletes. In response to Thursday’s memo, Baker commended the NFL for its vigilance toward protecting the integrity of the sport.
NFL discussions with state gambling regulators
While the NFL said it has met with various state regulators on prop activity, the league did not disclose the names of the actual states. At the moment, sports betting is legal in more than 35 states nationwide.
Given the fragmented landscape, it is up to each state to develop a sports wagering catalogue for the approval of certain props. In Colorado, for instance, the Division of Gaming rejected a proposed wager on whether any scoring drive in the Super Bowl would be shorter than the length of the national anthem. Last month, the division rejected a proposed wager on whether the jersey number of a touchdown scorer would be odd or even. However, the division approved a prop that enables customers to bet on whether the first offensive play will result in a safety.
On Friday, iGB spoke with a regulator from another state on the condition of anonymity who indicated that he is in favour of any action by a professional sports league that contains positive steps to “ensure the integrity” of its betting products.
Landscape for NFL prop bets memo
The NFL memo comes amid a number of gambling scandals involving US pro leagues.
The federal investigation in the Eastern District of New York has ensnared more than three dozen defendants in a joint poker and illegal sports betting probe involving prominent NBA players.
Separately, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase made an initial appearance on Thursday at a federal courthouse in Brooklyn. Both Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges in connection with a comprehensive pitch-rigging scheme.
Since the 2018 PASPA decision on sports betting, the NFL has suspended several prominent players for league violations on sports wagering, most notably Calvin Ridley, Jameson Williams and Isaiah Rodgers Sr.
“From the earliest days of legal sports betting, we have recognised the particular risks associated with prop bets and the corrosive effect they have on fan perceptions, league reputation and the safety of players, club staff and game officials,” the NFL wrote in the memo.
The NFL is engaging with state regulators and sportsbook operators to establish further restrictions on prop wagers