Official betting is the only way to place a bet on an event that has been sanctioned by a sports organization. This includes major leagues such as the NFL, NHL and NBA as well as NCAA games, minor leagues and other amateur events. In addition, it also encompasses sportsbook sponsorship agreements and the use of official statistics for wagering purposes.
The NFL has had a strict gambling policy for the past several years, with the league punishing players, coaches and team personnel who violate it. For example, former Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus was banned for a year in 2022 for placing a bet on an NFL game. More recently, the NFL has been more active in pursuing illegal betting activity and punishing those involved. In April, the league suspended Eagles offensive tackle Rashod Berry and free agent Isaiah Rodgers for a year each after they were linked to alleged betting on NFL games.
The NBA has a similar policy with its players, with any player or staff member prohibited from betting on the NBA and its properties (including the NBA Summer League, G-League and Basketball Africa League). However, provided that sports betting is legal where they are, athletes can bet on non-NBA-related events.
ROTT spoke with ESPN’s David Purdum to get his take on how the sports betting landscape has changed since the Supreme Court ruling in 2018. “It’s been a complete 180. Before that ruling, the leagues were fighting against it and they thought that allowing sports betting to expand – that it would compromise the integrity of the games,” he said. “Now, they’re embracing it in a lot of ways, partnering with sportsbooks, you’re seeing odds and lines infused in media coverage where it was kind of kept in the shadows.”