The NFL’s policy on gambling has generated varying opinions on its effectiveness and comprehensibility.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton isn’t a fan, saying the policy is too convoluted and lacking effective communication. Payton’s criticism was prompted by news of Broncos’ defensive end Eyioma Uwazurkie being suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Uwazurkie was suspended indefinitely (at least for the 2023 season) for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season. He will not be eligible for reinstatement until July 24, 2024.
“When you have a bunch of players getting D’s, you have to start looking at the message,” Payton told usatodaycom. “And we’ve had a lot of D’s in our league this year with this policy.”
Uwazurike is the 10th NFL player since April to be suspended for violating the league’s policy on gambling. Based on the number of players already suspended and with the expectation there will be more, Payton harshly criticized the policy, calling it “awful.”
“And we’re going to send them home for a year, where they can’t be around,” Payton told usatoday.com. “The idea that you just go away, shame on us.”
Payton, in his first year as coach of the Broncos, zeroed in on the specifics of the policy. He said the message is confusing and the league looks like a hypocrite.
Payton said he didn’t bother to use the league-issued talking points when explaining the policy to his players and coaches. He wanted to discuss the policy in terms more easily understandable when he met with players and staff in the spring.
“You can’t bet on NFL football, ever, ever, ever,” Payton recalled his words in the spring. “I don’t give a (expletive) what it is. The other thing is, it’s the same as the gun policy. You can’t bet on nothing if you’re at your facility, your hotel, your airplane. So, wherever you can’t carry a gun, you can’t place a bet.”
Payton also pointed to the NFL’s growing relationship with the gambling industry. Many NFL teams have partnerships with casinos and sportsbooks. NFL-themed slot machines will appear in casinos at the start of the upcoming season, with slot machines featuring all 32 teams logos across the country, according to a report.
What was once off-limits is now a major revenue producer for the NFL.
“I know this: There’s a handful of owners that are owning these ‘problems,’” he said. “A player can’t have a share of DraftKings or FanDuel. It’s shameful. Embarrassing.”
