As it turns out, there might not be a safe bet.
The NFL has dropped the hammer on players who have decided to throw some shekels down on sporting events over the last year, with 10 players drawing suspensions of varying lengths for violating league policy.
While the league has partnered with sportsbooks and betting sites to make the owners a lot of money, that doesn't give the league's players a free pass to throw money down and gamble or bet on just anything. In fact, the opposite.
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With the USA starting to legalize sports gambling en masse, more and more people can easily wager on games and events. That has led to more suspensions for NFL players as the league looks to enforce its gambling policy.
Here's what to know about the rules, and who are serving suspensions for gambling:
What is the NFL gambling policy?
The NFL's policy on gambling and sports betting is pretty cut-and-dried. Here is how the most important pieces of the policy break down:
— NFL personnel cannot bet on NFL games, practices or events, ever. That includes the NFL Draft and NFL Combine, prop bets, futures, over/unders and more.
— NFL personnel are prohibited from any kind of gambling in any club or league facility, venue or otherwise. That includes while traveling on team business, team hotels, stadiums, practice facility and more. Some players, including Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, have violated this rule, resulting in six-game suspensions.
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— NFL non-player personnel (i.e. coaches, executives, members of the league offices) are further prohibited from betting on any kind of professional sports leagues, sporting events, international sporting events or amateur sporting tournament or event. That means no betting on MLB, NBA or college games.
— NFL personnel cannot provide any kind of "inside information," which includes player availability (injuries) or game plans involving schematics or roster assignments.
Players who gamble or bet on NFL games are handed indefinite suspensions and can apply for reinstatement, typically after one year. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley served a one-year suspension for gambling on NFL games in 2021.
This is not a new policy, either. NFL players have never been allowed to bet, even before the league started partnering with sportsbooks and gambling partners.
Which NFL players were suspended for gambling?
A number of players have been given suspensions for violating the league's gambling policy since Calvin Ridley served a yearlong ban that kept him out for the 2022 season.
— Calvin Ridley, wide receiver, Atlanta Falcons/Jacksonville Jaguars: Ridley was suspended in 2022 after it was found he placed bets on NFL games in 2021. He was later traded to the Jaguars and will make his debut for Jacksonville this season.
— Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Detroit Lions: Williams was suspended six games for placing bets while in the Lions' practice facility.
— Stanley Berryhill, wide receiver, free agent: Berryhill was suspended six games for placing bets at the Lions facility. He was released on May 10, 2023.
— Quintez Cephus, wide receiver, free agent: Cephus was handed an indefinite suspension (minimum one year) after the NFL discovered he was betting on NFL games. He was released following the suspension.
— C.J. Moore, safety, free agent: In April 2023, Moore was given an indefinite ban after the NFL discovered he placed bets on NFL games. He was released by the Lions following the suspension.
— Shaka Toney, defensive end, Washington Commanders: The NFL suspended Toney after the league discovered he was betting on games during the 2022 season.
— Isaiah Rodgers, cornerback, free agent: Rodgers was given an indefinite suspension in June 2023 after it was discovered he was betting on NFL games. He was released by the Colts after his suspension was announced.
— Rashod Berry, linebacker, free agent: Berry will be out the entirety of the 2023 season after it was found he was betting on NFL games. He was released by the Colts following the announcement of the suspension.
— Demetrius Taylor, defensive tackle, free agent: Taylor will miss the entirety of the 2023 season as he serves an indefinite suspension for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season.
— Nicholas Petit-Frere, offensive tackle, Titans: Petit-Frere was suspended for six games for violating the league's policy on betting in a team facility.