Sports betting scandals have led to arrests across both the NBA and MLB in recent weeks. Now, the NFL is addressing the issue with a league-wide memo regarding prop bets.
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In a memo obtained by NFL insider Tom Pelissero and other media members, the league said that its highest priority is protecting the integrity of the game and that it has recognized the risks associated with prop bets. The NFL specifically mentioned the "corrosive effect" these prop bets have on such things as fan perception and safety.
"Accordingly, we have actively engaged with both state lawmakers and regulators, as well as with our sports betting partners, to limit — and where possible prohibited altogether — prop bets in the NFL," the memo stated.
"Our commercial agreements are regularly reviewed and and updated to prohibit wagers that are tied to the kind of conduct that was identified in recent federal law enforcement activity, and we maintain regular contact with state officials to ensure that these wagers are appropriately addressed."
The NFL sent a memo to team officials today, saying that in light of recent gambling scandals in other sports, the league has worked with lawmakers, regulators and sports betting partners in recent weeks to limit and, where possible, prohibit prop bets in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/qDF6KMHwln
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 13, 2025
The league also included a list of prohibited wager categories. This list includes the following items.
- Inherently Objectionable: Markets or bets that are inherently or designed to be derogatory or inflammatory, or otherwise based on subject matter against public policy (e.g., player injuries, fan safety, misconduct, etc.).
- Officiating-Related: Markets or bets based on officials or officiating (e.g., officiating assignments, penalties, replays, etc.).
- Determinable by One Person in One Play: Based on outcomes 100% determinable by one person in one play (e.g., kicker to miss FG attempt, QB's first pass to be incomplete, etc.).
- Pre-Determined: Pre-determined outcomes directly related to on-field competition (e.g., Will QB start this week? Will team's first play from scrimmage be a run or pass, etc.).
Sports betting's popularity has increased exponentially as it has become legal throughout the United States. No longer do fans have to call up their bookie to place wagers on the Jets, Raptors, Dodgers, or any other team. They can just open any number of apps on their phone.
With this increased popularity came the concerns about players, coaches, etc. manipulating the outcome of plays or games to benefit those placing the bets. These fears ultimately became reality.
Back on Oct. 23, the FBI arrested Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones in connection with multiple schemes. This included rigged poker games and a sports rigging operation.
On Nov. 9, federal prosecutors charged Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz in an alleged scheme involving pitch rigging. The court documents stated that the two pitchers had allegedly "conspired with bettors to rig pitches in professional baseball games so that bettors would profit from illegal wagers made based on that inside information."
Authorities arrested Ortiz early in the case. They then arrested Clase at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 13.
Federal prosecutors have not arrested or charged any NFL players or coaches in connection to any alleged schemes, but the concerns remain among league members and fans alike. Now, the league is trying to address the issue head-on with its memo about prohibited wagers and prop bets.
