NFL Updates Gambling Policy Education Ahead of Upcoming Season

The NFL has released its updated 2024 gambling policy, with a couple of particularly notable inclusions and changes ahead of kickoff next month.

The league will continue to enforce six key tenants for their players, specifically policies against betting on the NFL, having another party bet on their behalf, gambling at team facilities or when with the team, sharing inside information, entering a sportsbook during the season, or playing daily fantasy football.

Additionally, the NFL has mandated the previously optional in-person gambling policy education and training seminar, according to NFL CCO Sabrina Perel.

“The education and training, prepared in collaboration with the NFL Players Association, reviews the rules and reinforces integrity provisions in the policy including the two key rules: Never bet on NFL games, and do not gamble (no sports bets, casino or card games) while with the team in ANY capacity,” the NFL’s release notes.

Additionally, the NFL added further clarification, stating that the training had been mandatory for several years but would now be moved to a face-to-face setting.

NFL renews partnership with key gambling safety player

In addition to the NFL’s recently released memo to players and staff regarding the league’s updated policies, the league also announced the renewal of its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling, committing to a three-year, $6.4-million grant.

“We have a very long history of supporting critical societal issues, and accommodating responsible gambling is an issue that we know is impacting people all across the country,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility. “NCPG are leaders in that space. They have been leaders for decades. 

“They bring the responsible gambling world together. They bring state coalitions together. They bring other advocates together and are working to advance the field. And what we learned really quickly, about four years ago, was that this is an extremely underfunded field.”

The funding has primarily served to reinforce the organization’s national hotline, according to NCPG executive director Keith Whyte, as well as provide grants to communities that have been disproportionately affected by problem gambling, specifically with regard to addiction among students in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education.

“This partnership has been instrumental in advancing our mission of minimizing gambling-related harm,” Whyte said. “This is a great example of the way that the league can lean in and use its platform and reach to address an issue where there wasn’t much interest before.”

The NFL season kicks off on Sept. 5 on Thursday Night Football, as the defending back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs host their AFC rival Baltimore Ravens in a showdown of two-time MVP quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

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