Snitches get stitches, unless you’re a sportsbook.
In an email obtained by Pro Football Talk, the NFL players’ union and league itself warned players that the sportsbooks are indeed tracking their every move on their betting apps.
“I am sure all of you have seen the recent suspensions of players that resulted from violations of the NFL Gambling Policy (which is unilaterally imposed by the NFL and not collectively bargained). These recent violations involved players placing bets using mobile apps on their phone while at work or while traveling with their teams. This is a violation of the NFL’s Gambling Policy,” the email sent to players’ agents said.
“We have confirmed that some states monitor/audit FanDuel and the other gambling apps to ensure that the companies are in compliance with state law. Further the apps monitor gambler activity. It was as part of that monitoring that the NFL learned of the players using the apps at work in violation of NFL rules. At no time should players open or use any mobile gambling app while at work.”
Sports betting apps such as FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars have highly advanced technology that tracks the exact second that bets are placed and where – down to the building.
In many cases, like in New York, sports betting is not allowed on government land, an issue that a common bettor may have run into in the past.
Players should be treating their team facilities in the same way.
“During the NFL’s investigations we have learned that these apps (like FanDuel) are highly sensitive and very sophisticated at tracking, among other things, user location to be sure that the people using the app are not ‘prohibited gamblers’ and/or that the person using the app is in a location where they are allowed to place bets on the app,” the email stated.
As several players on the Lions learned recently, this technology will be used against them if they break the rules.
Detroit receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were recently suspended for six games for placing bets on non-NFL games at the team’s facility – wagers that would be allowed if they were at home.
C.J. Moore, Quintez Cephus and Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were all suspended indefinitely – for at least a year – for betting on NFL games.
Last season, Calvin Ridley was suspended by the NFL for a full year for gambling on the NFL before reapplying and receiving reinstatement.
This email could be a prelude to more suspensions, Florio predicts.
Online sports betting is legal in 24 states, with 17 NFL teams located in those states, forcing players to be more careful than ever.