NFL is investigating second wave of possible violations of league gambling policies, according to report

Gambling in the NFL has clearly become a problem lately. In total there were five players from the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders suspended for gambling violations last month, and a new report indicates more is on the way. According to ESPN, the NFL is investigating a second wave of possible violations of its gambling policies.

Legal sports betting is becoming more widespread and the NFL is adapting. Third parties in conjunction with the league are now using geolocation to identify bets placed from prohibited jurisdictions, such as team facilities, per ESPN. In addition, there are reportedly companies developing platforms that can track players’ and coaches’ bets. In this situation, the NFL could provide a list of “banned gamblers” to the platform, and that list would be shared with sportsbooks. If any of those names try to place a bet it wouldn’t, the trade would be flagged.

NFL players can legally bet on non-NFL sports, but they cannot place bets from team facilities or while traveling with the team. That’s what Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill III got caught doing. Both received six-game suspensions.

However, Lions outside Quintez Cephus, safety CJ Moore and Commanders pass rusher Shaka Toney were caught gambling on NFL games and received indefinite suspensions that will keep them out of the league for at least a year. Berryhill, Cephus and Moore were all released.

We’re also not far from the latest gambling-related suspension, as former Atlanta Falcons outside of Calvin Ridley was suspended for what ended up being a year for betting on NFL games just off-season. A total of seven NFL players, at least one assistant coach and an unknown number of team employees have violated the league’s gambling policies in the past five years. The NFL said it found no evidence of game manipulation.