Players on the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are barred from participating in any form of sports betting or casino gambling during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas, an NFL source confirmed to LSR.
Super Bowl LVIII is slated for Feb. 11 at Allegiant Stadium. LSR projects US bettors to record a record $1.3 billion in legal Super Bowl betting wagers on the game.
The league informed teams, players and the NFL Players Association of the policy on Sept. 29, according to the Washington Post.
Betting policy for NFL players at Super Bowl
According to the Post, NFL players in Las Vegas who are not playing in the Super Bowl can gamble legally. However, they are prohibited from NFL betting (as usual), and from sportsbook entry until after the Super Bowl.
Given the league’s financial relationship with sportsbooks, all eyes will be on the event, as the league seeks to maintain integrity.
In 2021, the NFL agreed to partnerships with FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook totaling a combined $1 billion over five years.
NFL amends sports betting policy
Also on Sept. 29, the NFL implemented stricter penalties for players betting on their own teams. Any player who wagers on their own team faces a minimum two-year ban.
Also, players who wager on non-NFL games while at work now receive a two-game ban for their first infraction, down from six under the previous policy.
Ten players suspended last year
Ten players received various suspensions last year for violating the NFL betting policy in 2022.
Last week, New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested. Boutte was charged with illegal gambling while he was playing at Louisiana State University (LSU).
Goodell on need for changes
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the Sept. 29 policy amendments in his memo to league personnel:
“We periodically review the NFL Gambling Policy to ensure that it is responsive to changing circumstances and fully addresses our commitment to protect the integrity of our game. In recent weeks, we have consulted with many of you and with the NFL Players Association to ensure that our policies are clear, properly communicated, and focused on protecting the integrity of the game and the reputations of everyone connected with the NFL,” the memo said.
“The revised gambling policy for NFL players that we are issuing today provides that clarity and focus, and gives clear guidance to players about the consequences of violating the policy. Specifically, it increases the minimum penalties for gambling and related activities in connection with NFL games.
“Lawful gambling (other than on NFL football) remains permissible outside of the workplace, and the penalties for gambling in the workplace have been revised. This policy applies to NFL players only; non-player personnel remain subject to the 2023 Gambling Policy for NFL Personnel.”
