The NFL sent a memo to team officials last week detailing prop bet restrictions for players and staff. The message came after federal charges hit both NBA and MLB players for gambling violations. League officials wanted to make clear which bets remain off-limits, even on licensed sportsbooks.
The memo targets anyone working within NFL circles. Players can’t make certain wagers. Neither can coaches or club staff. Game officials face the same restrictions.
Why Prop Bets Worry the League
The NFL’s concerns go back years. They’ve worried about prop bets since states first legalised sports betting. Single-player wagers create specific risks that traditional game bets don’t.
“From the earliest days of legal sports betting, we have recognised the particular risks associated with prop bets and the corrosive effect they have on fan perceptions, league reputation and the safety of players, club staff and game officials,” the league stated in its memo.
The timing matters. Recent federal charges involved what the NFL calls “integrity-threatening gambling practices” in other leagues. Those cases centred on prop bets, wagers that depend largely or entirely on one player’s actions.
The league worked with state lawmakers and regulators to address these concerns. They also talked with betting partners like DraftKings and FanDuel about limiting certain prop markets.
What the NFL Actually Prohibits
Several bet types are now clearly off-limits for league personnel. Any wagers considered “inherently or designed to be derogatory or inflammatory” can’t be placed. That includes bets on player injuries or misconduct.
Single-play, single-player outcomes are banned too. A kicker missing a field goal is one example the league cited. Officiating-based wagers also make the prohibited list.
Pre-determined outcomes tied to on-field competition face restrictions as well. The league specifically mentioned injury statuses and opening plays.
The memo doesn’t change what fans can bet on, though. It’s a reminder for people inside the league about existing rules.
How Operators Are Responding
Betting companies aren’t expected to modify their NFL menus. DraftKings and FanDuel will likely keep offering the same prop bets to regular customers. The restrictions only apply to league personnel.
The NFL’s commercial agreements get reviewed and updated regularly. These contracts already prohibit wagers tied to the conduct identified in recent federal cases.
State officials maintain regular contact with the league about which bets should be addressed. The AGA estimates $30 billion in wagers will be placed on the 2025-2026 NFL season. That’s an 8.5% increase over last year’s revised $27.6 billion handle.
But for now, the betting menus stay the same. Only who can place certain bets has changed.
