Many NFL players say that they are not familiar with the league’s gambling policy, especially the part that “prohibits betting from team and league facilities or while on the road with their teams,” and some “want that policy to change," according to Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. Ten NFL players have been suspended for gambling since April. NFL players are permitted to bet on sports other than the NFL “when they're not at team or league facilities or on the road with their team,” but several “have been hit with six-game suspensions for betting from the wrong location or at the wrong time.” The recent violations prompted the league to “reexamine how it educates players and personnel on its gambling policy.” Based on a new directive for this season, rookies are now “obligated to watch an additional training video from NFL compliance that opens with a message about the ‘importance of game integrity.’” NFL compliance officials have been “traveling to team facilities this summer, giving presentations on the gambling policy to players and personnel.” Of 53 players polled, 21 said that betting on other sports is “either prevalent or some teammates bet on other sports;” 17 said that they “weren't sure;” 10 said that it is “either not prevalent or no teammates bet on other sports, and five didn't directly answer the question" (ESPN.com, 8/24).
