NFL Sends Memo Regarding Prohibited Bets, Prediction Markets

The NFL isn’t going to wait around for its first major bet scandal.

The league sent a memo out to teams this week, reminding them of prohibited bets. Those include inherently objectionable markets, official-centric bets, wagers determined by a single player, and predetermined outcomes.

Of those banned bets, the one involving a single player on a single play stands out. This is often referred to as micro-betting, which is at the center of the recent MLB scandal involving two Guardians pitchers. These bet types usually focus on a single snap, an extra point, or other single plays throughout the game.

The NFL has been campaigning to have sportsbooks and states outlaw those bets, though they can still be found at particular sportsbooks in some US markets. 

Banned bet types can also be accessed through offshore sportsbooks that do not comply with state regulations. 

While the NFL has yet to see a major scandal like the NBA and MLB, it seems likely that it is only a matter of time. The country’s most popular league accounts for the busiest betting season of the year, with families getting together to watch games on Sundays. If (or when) a similar scandal is uncovered, it could rock fans' faith in the integrity of the most popular sport in the US.

NFL Calls for Restricting Sports Prediction Markets

The league didn’t stop there, issuing warnings about placing bets with sportsbooks.

The league’s memo also touched on the emergence of sports prediction markets. It pushed for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which regulates the industry, to place tighter regulations on operators. That includes limiting the bet markets they can offer, which recently expanded to include player prop bets.

In addition to pushing for restrictions, the NFL also reminded teams that using sports prediction markets is considered prohibited betting. That means players and staff are banned from using those platforms, as is the case with sportsbooks.