NFL using ‘integrity representatives’ to monitor suspicious in-game gambling activity

The NFL has increased its gambling policy education and integrity monitoring efforts after a successful offseason.

There haven’t been any players suspended for gambling violations in 13 months after and the league has taken more steps to keep that trend going.

Last offseason, the NFL suspended 10 players for gambling violations, including three members of the Indianapolis Colts who were suspended indefinitely by the league and subsequently waived. Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who received a one-year suspension in July 2023, was the last player to be reinstated from a suspension.

In-person gambling policy education and training is mandatory for all players in 2024. 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, including at a team facility, stadium, hotel or bus.

The league says “education and training is presented to the players – typically at the team facility – by a member of the NFL’s compliance team, the team’s head of player engagement (often a former player), or by other former NFL players using the ‘train the trainer’ approach.” For example, Chiefs Hall of Fame guard Will Shields serves in that role in Kansas City.

The six main rules for NFL players are:

• Never bet on the NFL, including the NFL draft, combine, Pro Bowl and awards.

• Don’t have someone bet for you: Do not ask family, friends or others to place a bet for you.

• Don’t gamble (no bets on sports, casino or card games) at your team facility or stadium, while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel.

• Don’t share team “inside information”: Don’t share information that hasn’t been announced by the team.

• Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season.

• Don’t play daily fantasy football.

Coaches, staff and team personnel aren’t permitted to bet on any sports.

Educating players about gambling has been a top priority. But to ensure the integrity of the game, an NFL integrity representative – typically retired FBI/executive level police officers – is assigned to each team. Their responsibilities include monitoring for suspicious activity on site on game days. ESPN reports that the spotters have the freedom to navigate stadiums from the sidelines to the press box – where certain coaches and support staff work – during games.

Genius Sports and IC360 continue to monitor every game and key NFL events for any betting activity that may indicate game manipulation or a leak of nonpublic information.

The NFL is also continuing its commitment to impactful responsible gambling initiatives. The league has extended its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling with a three-year, $6.4m grant.

The league originally gave the NCPG a three-year, $6.2m grant in October 2021. NCPG executive director Keith Whyte said the funding was used to strengthen the 1-800-Gambler national helpline, for agility grants to help prevent gambling addiction among middle school, high school and college students and communities disproportionately affected by problem gambling and an initiative aimed at sports bettors called ResponsiblePlay.org.

The grants focus on programs that minimize harm on a primary level – those who have not yet gambled – and on a secondary level – those who have limited gambling experience.

“This partnership has been instrumental in advancing our mission of minimizing gambling-related harm,” Whyte said.

Total contacts via calls on the national helpline, chat and text have increased 104% since 2020, according to data provided by the NCPG. Since its launch in 2021, ResponsiblePlay.org has received 753,000 new users.

“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,” Whyte said.