- The NFL sent out a memo that mentions the idea of prohibiting specific types of prop bets that are mostly not offered already.
- The NFL also shouted out prediction markets, stating that using them as players/personnel would violate the league’s gambling policy.
NEW YORK – The NFL sent out a legal sports betting memo to address the gambling scandals that have occurred across the NBA and MLB in recent months.
This memo explains that the NFL has been in communication with federal law enforcement and regulators in an effort to prevent the league from losing its integrity due to illegal sports betting.
The memo even mentions that prop bets in the NFL could be banned altogether.
While the intent sounds noble, the actual content of the memo does not hold much merit. Under the “Prohibited Wager Category” in the official memo, the NFL lists out sports betting types that are mostly already banned by state gaming commissions.
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
Derogatory bets (player injury), official-related bets (flags thrown), and predetermined bets (Gatorade color poured on winning head coach) are examples of three of the four listed. These bet types already do not exist at legal NFL sportsbooks in most states.
The last category listed was “Determined by One Person in One Play,” which would be betting on a QB’s first throw of a game to be a completion. In the memo, the NFL did not explicitly recommend banning this bet type but said “we maintain regular contact with state officials to ensure that these wagers are appropriately addressed”.
The end of the memo has a blurb about prediction markets, stating that they are considered “prohibited gambling activity” in terms of the league’s policy for players and personnel.
