NFL Defines Objectionable Bets
According to the request from the NFL, they are looking to eliminate bets that could allow a person to affect the outcome. Some of those bets include the following:
- Fan safety
- First play of the game
- Penalties
- Missed FG or XP
- First play of the game
- Wagers involving officials
- Player misconduct
While many of these bets are not offered by major sportsbooks, those that do offer a way to “rig” a game.
NFL Hopes to Avoid Same Fate as Boxing
The NFL and other pro leagues hope to avoid falling victim to the same fate as boxing did in the US. For years, boxing matches were marquee events watched by millions nationwide viewers. It seemed the sport would remain a fixture, but betting scandals changed that.
Over the last few decades, fighters and referees have taken large bribes to affect matches' outcomes. Many of these scandals were evident to anyone watching, but leagues could not stop them from happening. That led many fans to leave the sport, eventually fading into obscurity.
As large as the NFL brand is, failure to protect the integrity of the game could lead it down a similar path.
NFL Projected to Have Record Handle
The massive handle projected for this season is one motivating factor for the NFL's crackdown on bet catalogs. The American Gaming Association projected that the league would see $35 billion in wagers, up 30% from the previous year.
While fewer bets being offered could cut into those projections, protecting the integrity of the league will make up for that.
