Taking action
The NFL has issued a statement to team officials explaining its plan to prohibit prop bets on games wherever possible. Thursday’s letter references federal law enforcement investigations that have rocked the NBA and MLB in recent weeks. It goes on to say that the league has always been aware of the “corrosive effect” player prop bets can have on the sport.
met with lawmakers, regulators, and sportsbook partners
That’s why NFL officials have met with lawmakers, regulators, and sportsbook partners to “where possible” completely prohibit NFL prop bets. The statement then lists the prohibited wager categories.
The first are inherently objectionable markets, such as betting on player injuries or misconduct. The second relates to officiating decisions, and the third is any market determined by one person in a single play, like a kicker missing a field-goal attempt. The final category is wagers on pre-determined outcomes, such as whether a specific quarterback will start that weekend’s game.
Constant vigilance
The NFL noted that it is constantly monitoring betting activity and industry developments. An example of this policy was the ban in August on players engaging in football-related prediction-markets trading. The statement notes that its betting-education efforts are “strongly supported” by the NFL Players Association.
The social media reaction to the NFL’s statement was mixed. Some people welcomed the integrity safeguards, while others questioned whether the NFL should be dictating what markets sportsbooks can offer.
Issues are rife
Major League Baseball has made similar moves to try to restrict certain high-risk betting options in light of the ongoing game-manipulation scandal involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers. It has gotten sportsbooks to agree to cap prop bets on pitchers at $200.
allegations of money laundering, wire fraud, and influencing a sports contest by bribery
The two players in the spotlight are Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. Both players were arraigned this week and released on bail. They face allegations of money laundering, wire fraud, and influencing a sports contest by bribery.
Other major US sports leagues also had their own scandals in recent weeks. The FBI arrested 34 people as part of an investigation into NBA betting manipulation, including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Then the UFC reported suspicious betting activity in the lead-up to a big fight, which led to the organization releasing top prospect Isaac Dulgarian. Several fighters have since come forward and stated that they’ve been offered five-figure sums to throw fights.
