Responsible Gambling in the NFL Community: Promoting Healthy Betting Habits Among Fans and Players
It’s amazing how some things can change so quickly. Take NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s stance on gambling as an example. Not long ago, Goodell was steadfastly against betting on NFL games. He warned of how allowing betting on NFL games would ruin the integrity of the game. He said that in-game events like dropped passes, fumbles, and questionable penalties could fuel speculation of game fixing. Of course, fans have been questioning the integrity of the game for decades. Let’s not forget that there were more people wagering on NFL games than played American Roulette in Vegas long before sports betting was legalized in many states.
Fast forward to today. Not only is there an NFL franchise in Sin City, the gambling mecca of America, but Super Bowl LVIII was just played there. NFL teams have forged lucrative gambling partnerships with betting companies and most NFL broadcasts now show ads for various sports betting platforms. The relationship between gambling and NFL football couldn’t be much closer, so can you check out roulette table layout.
NFL’s Gambling Policy
Of course, this cozy arrangement isn’t without its issues. As sports betting continues to explode in popularity, we’ve seen an increase in gambling-related problems. Now, the NFL’s gambling policies are pretty clear as they pertain to players. Any NFL player who bets on NFL games will be suspended for a year. It’s a two-year ban if the player wagers on or against his own team.
NFL players who bet on other professional sports while at a team facility will face a two-game suspension for the first offense and a six-game ban for a second violation. Those stupid enough to get caught a third time will be suspended for a year. The key thing there is that the infraction must be committed while at a team facility. Believe it or not, NFL players are allowed to wager on non-NFL games as long as they don’t do it at a team facility. The list of players who have been suspended for violating these rules includes:
- Calvin Ridley
- Jameson Williams
- Stanley Berryhill
- Quintez Cephus
- C.J. Moore
- Shaka Toney
- Isiah Rodgers
- Rashod Berry
- Demetrius Taylor
- Nicholas Petit-Frere
- Eyioma Uwazurike
While gambling has certainly caused significant problems for these players, it isn’t as if there is any evidence to suggest that they are problem gamblers. We wouldn’t put them on the same level as the infamous Art Schlichter, who definitely had a gambling addiction, among other serious faults. Still, it would seem inevitable that more sports betting-related suspensions will happen.
NFL Bettors & Problem Gambling
The NFL has always generated loads of sports betting action. Even when it was illegal. Now that it is legal in many states, millions of people do it every week. Heading into the 2023 NFL season, an estimated 73 million Americans planned to wager on NFL games. That number will almost certainly rise in the upcoming 2024 season.
While studies vary, it is estimated that about 2% of the American population has a gambling disorder, with about 1% of the population having a severe gambling disorder. That may seem like a small number, but it translates into millions of people. As you probably already know, gambling addiction doesn’t only affect the afflicted individual. It also affects friends, family, and society in general. According to the Nation Council on Problem Gambling, the social cost of problem gambling in the United States is about $14 billion. This is made up of several costs, including gambling-related crime, healthcare expenditures, job loss, and bankruptcy.
Promoting Responsible Gambling in the NFL Community
People are going to bet on the NFL regardless of its legal status. This means that problem gambling will always exist. Seeing how prohibition won’t work, sports bettors must focus on developing and maintaining healthy gambling habits. Sports betting companies must also be proactive.
So, do bookies do enough to combat problem gambling? Well, they are required to provide players with responsible gambling tools. They have to allow bettors to set limits and they must offer temporary or permanent self-exclusion options. They are also supposed to keep tabs on customers and act accordingly if they see signs of problem gambling.
The reality is that this isn’t quite enough. This is simply because the onus is on the individual bettor to set limits and enter periods of self-exclusion. Even though operators are required to monitor player activity and look for signs of problem gambling, they don’t intervene too often. Gambling responsibly starts with you, the NFL bettor. Let’s go over 5 important rules that all NFL bettors should live by to keep their gambling as healthy as it can be.
Set Limits
If you plan on betting on NFL games this year, start by setting a budget that is in line with your financial capabilities. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekly, monthly, or annual budget. The important thing is to stick to it. It’s a good idea to establish a reasonable standard betting unit based on your budget. Don’t forget to use the responsible gambling tools at your sportsbook to also set limits.
Don’t chase Losses
Losing streaks and bad beats are just facts of life when you wager on NFL games. You simply have to learn to live with costly turnovers, bad calls, and other tough breaks. Chasing losses is the worst thing you can do, as it usually leads to more losses. Take it standing up, collect your thoughts, and prepare yourself for next week.
Monitor Your Gambling Health
You can find self-assessment tests at licensed bookmakers in the United States. Before you start placing bets, make sure to take one of these tests so that you understand where your gambling health stands. You should actually do this regularly so that you can quickly identify changes that may indicate that you might have a potential problem.
Seek Help
If you think that you are entering dangerous territory in terms of your gambling health, do not hesitate to reach out to a gambling support group. Your online bookmaker will have a list of contacts that you can connect with for free and confidential support.
Have Fun
Gambling is supposed to be entertaining and it can add a new layer of fun to even the dullest of NFL games. By maintaining a responsible approach, betting on NFL games will continue to be fun.
