In the wake of recent gambling scandals that have engulfed the NBA and MLB, the NFL have sent out a memorandum on Thursday to team officials across the league making their stance and position clear in relation to prop bets.
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As per Tom Pelissero, the memo states in part that the NFL: “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 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
In addition, the NFL also reiterated in the memo the types of wagers which are prohibited. For the league, such wagers which are not permissible are wagers that are as follows:
• “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.).”
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• “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.).”
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• “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.).”
NBA and MLB gambling scandals
The memo sent out by the NFL comes after the recent arrests of Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups.
Rozier was arrested for allegedly being involved in illegal gambling and sports betting activity, while in a separate indictment, it is alleged that Billups played a role in rigging underground poker games that were backed by the Mafia, as per ESPN.
Feb 7, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) dribbles up court during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
In the MLB, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, who are both pitchers with the Cleveland Guardians, were recently “charged with fraud, conspiracy and bribery stemming from an alleged scheme to rig individual pitches,” as per Jeff Passan.
Overall, the NFL will hope that their memo communicates a strong message, as sports leagues continue to figure out the most effective way to navigate the legalization of sports betting.
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