NFL’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas Sparks Surge in Sports Betting and Raises Questions about Player Gambling
The NFL has long been cautious about its involvement with the gambling industry. However, in recent years, the league has formed partnerships with major players in the sports betting market, such as FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars, as more states legalize sports betting. This season, for the first time in history, the Super Bowl will be held in Las Vegas, the renowned gambling capital of America. As a result, a staggering 67.8 million Americans are expected to place bets on Super Bowl LVIII, marking a 35% increase from 2023, according to the American Gaming Association.
The growing popularity of sports betting has led to an estimated record-breaking $23.1 billion being wagered on this year’s Super Bowl, surpassing the $16 billion bet on last year’s game. With 38 states, along with Washington, D.C., now offering some form of legal sports betting, approximately 67% of the American adult population has access to this activity, as reported by the AGA.
However, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is determined to ensure that no NFL players participate in any form of gambling related to the Super Bowl. The league has implemented several rules for players during the week leading up to the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Firstly, players from both teams will not be staying near the famous Las Vegas Strip, where numerous casinos and sportsbooks are located. Instead, they will be situated approximately 20 miles away at Lake Las Vegas, as announced by the NFL.
According to multiple memos from Goodell obtained by MarketWatch, players participating in the Super Bowl are strictly prohibited from engaging in any gambling activities during the week. This includes playing casino games like poker or blackjack and placing sports bets. They are even forbidden from entering a sportsbook, regardless of whether they intend to gamble or not. The same restrictions apply to players from the other 30 NFL teams visiting Las Vegas, although they are allowed to play casino games such as blackjack. Once the Super Bowl concludes, all NFL players are free to partake in casino games and wager on non-NFL sporting events.
Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications, public affairs, and policy, emphasized the consequences of violating these rules during a conference call with reporters. “Any player, coach, personnel, yours truly, who would be caught or identified gambling at a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process,” Miller stated. However, it remains unclear how the NFL plans to monitor and enforce these regulations, considering the numerous retail sportsbooks present in Las Vegas.
In response to MarketWatch’s inquiry, the NFL reiterated its gambling policy for the Super Bowl and emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the game. The league stated, “Super Bowl LVIII is a highly anticipated and thrilling event for our fans and viewers. With fans across the globe tuning into the game and related events, we must all do our part to protect the integrity of our game and avoid even the appearance of improper conduct.”
In recent years, several NFL players have faced suspensions for betting on NFL games. For instance, wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for one year in 2022 and forfeited $11 million in salary after being found guilty of betting on NFL games. It is worth noting that the NFL was the last major American sports league to establish official sports betting partnerships. Additionally, individual NFL players are still prohibited from signing endorsement deals with sportsbooks under league restrictions, unlike athletes in the NBA, NHL, and MLB. Just last week, NBA star LeBron James signed a deal with DraftKings sportsbook.
As the Super Bowl approaches, excitement is building among fans and viewers worldwide. The convergence of America’s most-watched sporting event and the vibrant gambling scene in Las Vegas has sparked a surge in sports betting. While the NFL is taking measures to prevent player gambling during the Super Bowl week, the league faces the challenge of effectively monitoring and enforcing these rules in a city filled with retail sportsbooks. As the popularity of sports betting continues to grow, the NFL must navigate the delicate balance between embracing this lucrative industry and maintaining the integrity of the game.