NFL commissioner Roger Goodell once outlined his view on the impact legalized sports gambling would have on the league, as the NBA continues to be rocked by the recent FBI investigation
15:45 ET, 27 Oct 2025
Roger Goodell, commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, May 5, 2025. US President Donald Trump announced Washington will host the 2027 National Football League draft, saying it will provide a boost to the nation's capital. Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
View 3 Images
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell once outlined his belief that legalized sports gambling would lead to people questioning the validity of the league(Image: Getty Images)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell once admitted he believed that legalized sports gambling would lead to questions about the validity of the league. A decade later, the NBA has been rocked by an illegal gambling scandal with a number of current and former players allegedly involved.
Just days after the 2025-26 NBA season opener, it was announced that Portland Trail Blazers' head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier had been arrested following an FBI investigation into illegal sports gambling and rigged poker games. Billups is alleged to have been involved in an underground poker game ring that prosecutors believe defrauded wealthy individuals for millions of dollars, while Rozier is accused of participating in an illegal betting scheme that allowed gamblers to cash in on under prop bets on his performance.
Article continues below
While sports gambling has been legalized in the United States since May 2018, Goodell once expressed his concern that allowing betting on sports could potentially lead to questioning the validity of the games being played.
Article continues below
READ MORE: Jerry Jones offers honest take on fate of tush push after Eagles' protestsREAD MORE: Breece Hall leads six Jets players on trade watch after yet another defeat
Back in 2012, Goodell gave a deposition as part of a lawsuit brought by New Jersey, which was trying to end the federal ban on sports betting.
"If gambling is permitted freely on sporting events, normal incidents of the game such as bad snaps, dropped passes, turnovers, penalties, and play-calling inevitably will fuel speculation, distrust, and accusations of point-shaving or game-fixing. … It creates more gambling," said Goodell.
He added: "It creates more gamblers and it creates the more likelihood that people are going to perceive it as being an influence."
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was taken into custody in relation to the rigged poker games scheme
View 3 Images
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was taken into custody in relation to an alleged rigged poker games scheme(Image: Getty)
Since then, though, American sports leagues — including the NFL — have embraced sports betting.
In light of the recent events, both the NBA and NFL reminded their players that they are prohibited from illegal gambling and betting on league games.
"While the unusual betting on Terry Rozier's 'unders' in the March 2023 game was detected in real time because the bets were placed legally, we believe there is more that can be done from a legal/regulatory perspective to protect the integrity of the NBA and our affiliated leagues," a memo sent by the NBA, obtained by ESPN, read.
READ MORE: WNBA teams 'jealous' of Caitlin Clark as private locker room chats emergeREAD MORE: Angel Reese gets career news from Victoria's Secret after historic catwalk appearance
"In particular, proposition bets on individual player performance involve heightened integrity concerns and require additional scrutiny." According to ESPN, the NBA is also reassessing its approach to legal sports betting in an effort to better protect players from the risks of gambling.
"With sports betting now occupying such a significant part of the current sports landscape, every effort must be made to ensure that players, coaches and other NBA personnel are fully aware of the dire risks that gambling can impose upon their careers and livelihoods; that our injury disclosure rules are appropriate; and that players are protected from harassment from bettors," the memo, sent to all 30 teams, added.
Meanwhile, the NFL's memo, obtained by multiple outlets, read: "We all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the Shield by ensuring that our game is played fairly, honestly and to the best of a player's ability.
"NFL players must also take appropriate steps to safeguard the game against gambling-related risks that may undermine the confidence and trust of the fans."
FBI Director Kash Patel (C) leads news conference to announce arrests tied to illegal sports betting and poker game schemes, in New York City on October 23, 2025. NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested on Thursday for alleged involvement in illegal gambling. Billups, a former Detroit Pistons star and member of the NBA Hall of Fame, was arrested in connection with rigged illegal poker games tied to the Mafia, FBI Director Kash Patel said. Rozier and a former NBA player, Damon Jones, were arrested in a sports betting case, Patel said at a press conference in New York. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)
View 3 Images
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests last week(Image: Getty Images)
Article continues below
It continued: "These developments underscore the risks that all sports are facing in the current environment and serve as a reminder of the need to adhere strictly to the NFL gambling policy."
NFL players are not allowed to place any bet on an NFL football game, throw or fix an NFL game or event, manipulate, or attempt to manipulate any aspect of a game, or share confidential, non-public information regarding an NFL game with any third party.
However, they are allowed to legally place bets on other sports, provided they are not at a team facility or travelling with their team.