NFL reissues guidance on restricted prop bets after federal charges

The National Football League issued a memo on Thursday outlining several categories of proposition wagers that are not permitted across NFL betting markets, releasing the reminder days after two MLB pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians were charged in federal court for allegedly taking payments from bettors seeking to influence pitch selections tied to prop wagers.

The league’s communication restated rules previously established for operators and reiterated the types of bets that cannot be offered. The memo was sent to clubs and players and was later obtained by The Associated Press.

As part of the document, the league said: “(W)e have actively engaged with both state lawmakers and regulators, as well as with our sports betting partners, to limit — and where possible prohibit altogether — prop bets in the NFL. Our commercial agreements are regularly reviewed and updated to prohibit wagers that are tied to the kind of conduct that was identified in recent federal law enforcement activity, and we maintain regular contact with state officials to ensure that these wagers are appropriately addressed.”

The advisory noted that wagers designed to be derogatory or based on subject matter that runs counter to public policy are not allowed, including bets tied to player injuries, fan safety, or misconduct. The league also restricts wagers that relate to officiating outcomes, such as assignments, penalties, or replay decisions.

In addition, the NFL bars bets determined entirely by a single player on a single play. Examples include wagers on a kicker missing a field goal or a quarterback’s first pass being incomplete. Markets involving predetermined outcomes directly connected to on-field decisions are also prohibited, such as whether a quarterback will start or whether a team’s first play will be a run or pass.

Not all prop bets have been eliminated, nor will they be, according to league sources. Bets on single players with cumulative stats, like will a quarterback pass for more than 300 yards in a game, have been and will continue to be allowed, reports CBS Sports.