The NFL has some of the weirdest policies in pro sports! While the league has always had weird rules, like the obscure ban on Goal Post dunk celebrations, this one might take the cake. The league has imposed a strict No-Gambling rule on every non-player in the league. This includes team officials, executives, and coaches. But here’s where it starts getting weird. 

Somehow, the league only bans non-players from gambling but has allowed the actual players in the league to legally bet on other sports and events. While this rule is definitely weird, it becomes even more obscure and redundant in the midst of the league’s efforts to control the extent of legalized gambling. But the real shocker comes from an $8 million scandalous report from last season. 

The weird NFL Gambling rule that cost a player millions

According to a report by PFT’s Mike Florio, an insider revealed that an unnamed NFL player lost nearly $8 Million over gambling last season. Given the league’s strict policy against gambling by non-players on teams, the decision by Commissioner Roger Goodell to continue with this rule entering 2023 remains absurd.  

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This discrepancy in the league’s policy has raised eyebrows and fueled discussions among fans, experts, and stakeholders alike. It begs the question of why players, who are more vulnerable to the temptations of gambling due to their high earnings and access to information, are given this exception. As this rule continues to baffle fans, there are a few possible explanations for this. 

Digging into the NFL’s reasoning behind obscure Gambling rule

It is quite easy to see the absurdity of allowing players to gamble legally. But one of the possible theories for the league continuing with this rule lies with the sponsors of the league. FOX Bet, BetMGM, PointsBet, and WynnBET are some of the sportsbook partners of the NFL. Given the massive investments by these sportsbooks, there is an explanation for the league’s gambling rule. 

Given the high income of NFL players, the NFL quite possibly allows these affluent athletes to spend on gambling as a partner deal with sportsbooks. With the high stakes gambles by many athletes, thriving to seek the dopamine that sports offers, through the world of gambling, betting partners often get a huge return on their investment into the league. While this is just a theory, a sports theory, it would provide a possible explanation for the absurd double standard that the league has on its policies. 

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