No Blackjack. No Roulette. No Craps. Not even a spin on the NFL-branded slot machines across The Strip. That’s the official word for players participating in Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
According to Daniel Kaplan of Front Office Sports, which obtained the NFL’s guidelines for gambling during Super Bowl week, keeping a distance from any form of gaming will be paramount for the two teams competing for the Lombardi Trophy.
Additionally, players in Las Vegas for the game who are not associated with either of the two teams will be prohibited from placing wagers at a sportsbooks at all. Even if they are attempting to bet on non-NFL contest.
Per the NFL via Kaplan:
“While in Las Vegas, players participating in the Super Bowl are prohibited from engaging in any form of gambling, including casino games and betting on any sport.” As for those players not on the two clubs participating in the Super Bowl: They may engage in legal gambling, the correspondence states—but they may not bet on the NFL at any time or go in a sportsbook until the Super Bowl is over. An exception: Players will be allowed to walk through a sportsbook if it is the only way to get where they are going.
So don’t expect to see Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift tossing dice at 2 a.m. before the Super Bowl should the Chiefs make it — though, really, what would the league do in that case? — or Odell Beckham Jr. placing prop bets on himself before kickoff.
As the league brings its marquee event to Sin City for the first time, the lines between what is and isn’t allowed are extremely clear. It may be strict, and even harsh, but it’s understandable in an era where perceptions tend to become reality.
The NFL isn’t taking any chances by explicitly banning players from gambling. Even if it seems a bit hypocritical or obtuse and it’s hard to blame them this time.
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