Illinois Prohibits Specific NFL Prop Bets

The Illinois Gaming Board has imposed new restrictions on specific NFL prop bets following a request from the National Football League (NFL).

### NFL’s Concerns Over Betting Integrity

The NFL raised concerns about potential manipulation of certain in-game events by individual players. Jonathan Nabavi, NFL Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, requested the ban, highlighting that other states, including Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, have already enacted similar restrictions to protect the integrity of the game.

### Prohibited NFL Bets

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Gaming Board’s response has led to the prohibition of bets on:

– Outcome of the first play

– Replay decisions

– Missed field goals or extra points

– Success of a quarterback’s first pass

– Bets concerning fan safety

– Bets on player misconduct

– Wagers on penalties

– Bets on officiating assignments

– Wagers on personnel decisions

This rule is designed to eliminate bets that could be “100% determinable by one person in one play.”

### Rationale Behind the Decision

Marcus Fruchter, Administrator of the Illinois Gaming Board, emphasized the need for these restrictions by stating, “Pre-determined choices and actions controlled by individual players, coaches, or league officials are vulnerable to abuse and manipulation.” The board has warned sportsbooks in Illinois that non-compliance with these new rules could result in the revocation of their licenses.

### History of NFL Player Suspensions for Gambling Violations

The NFL has a longstanding history of enforcing gambling suspensions to safeguard the sport’s integrity. Notable cases include:

– **1963**: Green Bay’s Paul Hornung and Detroit’s Alex Karras, both Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees, were suspended for the season for betting on league games.

– **1983**: Baltimore quarterback Art Schlichter was suspended for betting on at least 10 NFL games as a rookie. Though he briefly returned in 1984, his career soon ended.

– **2019**: Arizona cornerback Josh Shaw was suspended for betting on an NFL game while on injured reserve and has not played in the league since.

– **2022**: Atlanta wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the 2021 season for betting on NFL games. He was reinstated in 2023 and now plays for Jacksonville.

– **2023**: Several players faced suspensions, including:

  – **Quintez Cephus (Detroit)**: Suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games; released by the team.

  – **C.J. Moore (Detroit)**: Suspended indefinitely; released.

  – **Shaka Toney (Washington)**: Suspended indefinitely.

  – **Jameson Williams (Detroit)** and **Stanley Berryhill (Detroit)**: Suspended for six games; Berryhill was later released.

  – **Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (Indianapolis)**, **Rashod Berry (Indianapolis)**, and **Demetrius Taylor (Indianapolis)**: Suspended indefinitely; all were released.

  – **Nicholas Petit-Frere (Tennessee)**: Suspended for six games for betting on non-NFL games at an NFL facility.

  – **Eyioma Uwazurike (Denver)**: Suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games during his rookie season in 2022.

These suspensions underscore the NFL’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and deterring gambling-related infractions.