The National Football League is cracking down on players gambling before the 2023 NFL season. After suspending five players in April for violating the NFL gambling policy, a second wave of players is now being suspended.
Below, you can find all the information you need to know about the NFL gambling suspensions, rules against gambling and the history of discipline by the NFL.
Why does the NFL suspend players for gambling?
The NFL suspends players for gambling because of its desire to protect football’s integrity. Any instance of players or coaches betting on NFL games can raise questions regarding the purity of games.
Because the league is partnered with major sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars, worth more than $1 billion annually within the next decade, preserving those partnerships and maintaining credibility wth fans and media partners is paramount to the NFL’s long-term success and revenue.
NFL rules on players gambling
- Don’t bet on the NFL
- Don’t gamble at your team facility, while traveling for a road game or staying in a team hotel
- Don’t have someone bet for you
- Don’t share team ‘inside information’
- Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL playing season
- Don’t play daily fantasy football
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Under NFL rules on players gambling, any players are forbidden from placing a single bet for any amount on their team’s games, another team’s games or anything involving outcomes, points scored, future bets, prop bets are parlays. This included the NFL Honors, NFL Draft, NFL Combine and the Pro Bowl.
While players are permitted to bet on non-NFL games and events, it is forbidden at certain locations. Included in the NFL rules on players gambling; they can’t bet on anything when at the team’s facility or stadium (including the parking lot), on team business, or during a team road trip.
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The specific rules regarding where betting is prohibited apply to Williams. During his rookie season, it’s believed that the Lions’ wide receiver placed a bet on a college football game on his phone while at the team hotel in a different state where sports gambling is legal.
Any players who are determined to have violated the gambling policy are subject to immediate discipline following an investigation. The NFL set a precedent in 2019 when it suspended Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw for betting on NFL games. He was reinstated a year later but hasn’t returned to the NFL.
What NFL players suspended for gambling?
Nine NFL players have been suspended for gambling in 2023 as of June 29. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that a second wave of players will be suspended on June 30 for violating the NFL gambling rules. Indianapolis Colts corner Isaiah Rodgers is the only named player, but another Detroit Lions player could also reportedly be under investigation.
NFL players suspended for gambling
Isaiah Rodgers, cornerback, Indianapolis Colts – Indefinitely
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was suspended indefinitely, at least through the conclusion of the 2023 NFL season, for placing approximately 100 NFL bets on NFL games in 2022. Rodgers was released by the Colts following his suspension.
Nicholas Petit Frere, offensive tackle, Tennessee Titans – 6 games
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for the first six games of the 2023 NFL season after a league investigation found he bet on non-NFL games while at the Titans’ facility last season. After starting 16 games in 2022, Petit-Frere was projected to be the Titans’ starting right tackle this fall.
Rashod Berry, linebacker, Indianapolis Colts – Indefinitely
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry was suspended by the NFL indefinitely, at a minimum for the entire 2023 season, for betting on NFL games in 2022. Undrafted in 2020, the 6-foot-4 linebacker was signed by Indianapolis off the Colts’ practice squad in January. Berry had played in just five NFL games since entering the league, recording four combined tackles. Indianapolis released Berry following his suspension.
Demetrius Taylor, defensive tackle, free agent – Indefinitely
The NFL suspended free agent defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in 2022. Taylor, undrafted in 2022, was on the Detroit Lions practice squad last season. After signing a reserve/futures contract in January, Detroit released him on May 10, 2023.
Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Detroit Lions – 6 games
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was suspended for the first six games of the 2023 NFL season for violating the anti-gambling policy. The NFL found that Williams reportedly bet on a college football game while at a team hotel in 2022. Williams is eligible to return for Week 7, against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 22.
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Shaka Toney, defensive end, Washington Commanders – Indefinitely
Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in April for violating of the NFL gambling policy. Toney, a seventh-round pick in 2021, is the only NFL player suspended in April who received a year-long suspension that wasn’t released.
Stanley Berryhill, wide receiver, free agent – Indefinitely
Stanley Berryhill was suspended six games by the NFL in April for betting on college football games while at the Lions’ facility. He received a six-game suspension for the 2023 season. The Lions released him on May 10 and he remains unsigned.
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C.J. Moore, safety, free agent – Indefinitely
Former Lions’ safety C.J. Moore was suspended indefinitely in April for betting on NFL games. Immediately after the suspension was announced, Moore was released by Detroit. He will not be signed by another NFL team until he is reinstated by the NFL.
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Quintez Cephus, wide receiver, free agent – Indefinitely
The Lions released wide receiver Quintez Cephus immediately after he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Cephus only played in four games in 2022, catching two passes. The 25-year-old receiver will remain unsigned through the length of his suspension.
History of NFL players suspended for gambling
Fourteen players have been suspended for gambling in NFL history. Arizona Cardinals defensive back Josh Shaw received the longest suspension, with the league suspending him on Nov. 29, 2019 and he wasn’t reinstated until March 2021. Here are all the players suspended for gambling in the NFL.
NFL players suspended for gambling
- Nicholas Petit-Frere, Tennessee Titans (2023) – 6 games
- Isaiah Rodgers, Indianapolis Colts (2023) – Indefinitely
- Rashod Berry, Indianapolis Colts (2023) – Indefinitely
- Demetrius Taylor, free agent (2023) – Indefinitely
- Shaka Toney, Washington Commanders (2023) – Indefinitely
- Quintez Cephus, free agent (2023) – Indefinitely
- C.J. Moore, free agent (2023) – Indefinitely
- Stanley Berryhill, free agent (2023) – Indefinitely
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions – 6 games
- Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (2022) – 1 year
- Josh Shaw, Arizona Cardinals (2019) – 21 games
- Art Schlichter, Baltimore Colts (1983) – 1 year
- Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers (1963) – 1 year
- Ale Karras, Detroit Lions (1963) – 1 year
What Colts player is being investigated for gambling?
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Jr is being investigated for gambling by the NFL. On June 5, reports first surfaced that the league was conducting an active investigation into allegations that Rodgers violated the NFL’s anti-gambling policy.
- Isaiah Rodgers salary 2023): $2.743 million
Rodgers is accused of placing approximately 100 bets through a sportsbook using the name of an associate. The bets were allegedly in the $25-$50 range, but at least one included a low four-figure wager. Betting on any NFL games is not permitted for any players.
The 25-year-old cornerback issued an apology in June, accepting full responsibility for his actions. Rodgers will serve a year-long suspension in 2023, foregoing his $2.743 million salary. In addition, he will not be eligible for free agency in 2024.
Can NFL referees bet on games?
NFL referees are not allowed to bet on games. Under the NFL gambling rules, no player, coach, team executive or anyone directly involved with the league or an NFL team is permitted to bet on NFL games. There are no ongoing investigations into allegations of betting by referees. Any such violation would result in the referee being banned from working NFL games permanently.
