Nick Laham | fake images
The National Football League is hosting the Super Bowl for the first time in America's gaming capital, but commissioner Roger Goodell reminds team personnel that they cannot participate in the action.
Goodell sent a memo Thursday before Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas, telling staff at all teams that league policy prohibits them from betting on sports or entering a sportsbook in Las Vegas. Employees of the participating Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will not be allowed to play even casino games until Super Bowl LVIII concludes on February 11.
“Super Bowl LVIII is a highly anticipated and exciting event for our fans and viewers. With fans around the world tuning in to the game and related events, we must all do our part to protect the integrity. [of] our game and avoid even the appearance of inappropriate conduct,” Goodell said in the memo obtained by CNBC.
The league issued the guidance as professional sports navigate the new world of legalized sports betting. Gambling is now legal in 38 states and more than $300 billion has been wagered since a law restricting the practice was repealed in 2018, according to the American Gaming Association.
Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas is expected to be the biggest NFL championship bid in history. While professional sports leagues once frowned upon betting, they have now embraced it as a burgeoning source of revenue.
GeoComply, which tracks sports betting by location, says it has seen a 24% increase in gambling transactions since the start of the NFL playoffs, compared to the same period last year.
The NFL memo contains a list of rules that apply to owners, executives, coaches, football and medical staff and front office staff of all teams. Separate, stricter restrictions apply to players. They are subject to one- to two-year or even indefinite suspensions if they are caught playing in their team or other games, under the league's adjusted gaming policy announced in September.
Nearly a dozen players have received suspensions for violating league rules. The NFL is currently investigating 2023 sixth-round draft pick Kayshon Boutte, who allegedly placed 8,900 bets over 13 months while under the legal playing age when he was at Louisiana State University.
The league's memo sent Thursday reminds staff that they should never bet on the NFL or any other sport.
Staff must also strictly avoid sports betting, even on food or drink, while at the Super Bowl. To help keep employees from entering facilities, the league has teams staying in hotels about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
The rules are a little more flexible for casino, card and table games, as well as slots.
Non-participating team personnel in Las Vegas may play casino or slot games during their personal time or after hours. However, Chiefs and 49ers employees will not be able to play until the Super Bowl ends.
NFL front office staff are prohibited from gambling of any kind at any time, according to the memo.
The league also reminded staff to never share “inside information” about the game, team or player, and to report any requests for that information.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that NFL betting suspensions begin between one and two years for players.
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