NFL Working To Limit Prop Bets In Wake Of FBI Investigation
The NFL is drawing a line in the sand, and it looks an awful lot like the line of scrimmage. While the NBA and MLB are getting their lunch money stolen by gambling scandals, the NFL is trying to avoid the next big scandal. In a memo that probably had more fine print than a stadium naming rights deal, the league has made it clear: they’re cracking down on certain prop bets.
Let’s be honest, we all love a good prop bet. Will the coin toss be heads or tails? Will the Gatorade bath be orange or blue? But the NFL is getting nervous about the kind of bets that can be influenced a little too easily. Imagine putting your mortgage on a kicker shanking a field goal. Suddenly, that kicker’s cousin twice-removed, who owes a guy named “Vinnie” some serious cash, looks a little suspicious hanging around the team hotel. It’s a bad look, and the league knows it.
The NFL’s New Rules On Prop Bets
So, what exactly is the NFL putting the kibosh on? They’ve laid out a few categories of bets that they’re working with sportsbooks and lawmakers to either limit or ban entirely. Think of it as the league’s “no-fun” list, but for good reason.
The new restrictions target wagers that are:
- “Inherently Objectionable”: This is the league’s fancy way of saying, “Don’t be a jerk.” Betting on a player to get injured or on some kind of fan-related disaster is officially off the table. It’s dark, it’s gross, and the NFL wants no part of it.
- “Officiating-Related”: Ever wanted to bet on which ref will throw the most flags? Too bad. The league is protecting its officials from any suggestion of impropriety. No bets on penalties, officiating assignments, or replay outcomes.
- “Determinable by One Person in One Play”: This is the big one. Bets like a quarterback’s first pass being incomplete or a kicker missing a field goal are now on the blacklist. Why? Because it’s way too easy for one person to influence the outcome, and that’s a recipe for a scandal the size of Texas.
- “Pre-Determined”: Bets on things that are decided before the game even starts are also out. This includes wagers on whether a certain QB will start or if the first play will be a run or a pass. The league is trying to eliminate any possibility of insider information being used to cash in.
Why Is the NFL Doing This Now?
The NFL isn’t just pulling these rules out of thin air. They’ve seen the chaos unfolding in other leagues. The NBA has had players arrested in gambling-related cases, and MLB is dealing with its own betting scandals. The NFL is essentially looking at its neighbors’ houses burning down and deciding it’s a good time to buy a fire extinguisher.
The league has already had to suspend several players for gambling violations, including Calvin Ridley, who missed an entire season, and Jameson Williams, who sat out six games. By getting ahead of the prop bet problem, the NFL is trying to protect the integrity of the game and keep the focus on what happens on the field, not what’s happening on a betting app.
As Patrick Mahomes said, it gets weird when fans are too invested because they have money on the line. The NFL agrees. They want you cheering for your team, not for your parlay to hit.
