PFT: Multiple NFL players face discipline for gaming investment

[cowboyjoe]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...layers-face-discipline-for-gaming-investment/
Posted by Mike Florio on June 16, 2011, 9:07 PM EDT


The NFL has a high degree of sensitivity regarding gambling, even though gambling is responsible for a major chunk of the league’s TV ratings. People who bet on football games typically like to watch the games on which they’ve bet, and the NFL typically likes that. And while the league implicitly acknowledges the existence of gambling by creating the impression, via the injury-reporting rules, that there’s no inside information for gamblers to attempt to obtain (even though there is), the league draws the line when it comes to owner, coach, executive, and/or player involvement in gambling.

Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that at least 25 NFL players
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...jc-cole_nfl_players_gaming_investments_061611
could be required to give up their interests in an Alabama bingo and entertainment operation that was shut down in 2010, and that could re-open later this year. The project, located 10 miles south of Dothan, Alabama, is known as Center Stage. It previously went by the name Country Crossing, before authorities forced it to close when “electronic bingo” operations in Alabama were required to stop using slot-machine lookalikes.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Note, I didnt see any dallas cowboys players named mentioned, but they didnt list the full 25 players list of names.

 

[speedkilz88]

It's not good that Terrell Owens is involved. I think that increases the odds that Cowboys players could be involved also.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

The rooney's had an investment in a horse track for years and they were allowed to take their sweet time about selling their stake in it, something like 3 years IIRC. The players should be given a similar window.

 

[CCBoy]

The rooney's had an investment in a horse track for years and they were allowed to take their sweet time about selling their stake in it, something like 3 years IIRC. The players should be given a similar window.

Sports and gambling just does not co-exist, except in the minds of addicts. It would appear...in MLB and in the NFL.

 

[JustDezIt]

I gamble not far from there quite often. Good thing i'm not an NFL player.

 

[casmith07]

It's not good that Terrell Owens is involved. I think that increases the odds that Cowboys players could be involved also.

If they are, they're probably the knuckleheads.

 

[burmafrd]

bingo. wow major worry there. As long as the NFL posts point spreads and the like its pretty hypocritical to whine about gambling.

 

[Doomsday101]

NFL has always taken any association of players and gambling very serious no matter the player. Many things the league will go easy on a player for but gambling is not one of them.

 

[Doomsay]

bingo. wow major worry there. As long as the NFL posts point spreads and the like its pretty hypocritical to whine about gambling.

Yeah, no kidding. I just remember the race and "sports" room at the Bellagio every time the leagues get sanctimonious about betting.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yeah, no kidding. I just remember the race and "sports" room at the Bellagio every time the leagues get sanctimonious about betting.

League does not care if fans bet they have no control of the outcome of the game. I don't see anything sanctimonious about the league ensuring players are not involved.

 

[bracey]

Sports and gambling just does not co-exist, except in the minds of addicts. It would appear...in MLB and in the NFL.

Seems to work pretty well for most of the rest of the world. Barring players from any gambling interaction is a massive overreaction. I understand keeping them away from sports gambling, but not everything. There are plenty of things outside of gambling that would make a player broke enough attempt to throw a game.

 

[Doomsday101]

Seems to work pretty well for most of the rest of the world. Barring players from any gambling interaction is a massive overreaction. I understand keeping them away from sports gambling, but not everything. There are plenty of things outside of gambling that would make a player broke enough attempt to throw a game.

Because other things could cause a player to throw a game does not mean the NFL should not come down on players or owners involved in gambling. Fact is it is not just the NFL, MLB is the same way. They are not going to risk the games coming under question because of business dealing in the gaming industry.

 

[bracey]

Because other things could cause a player to throw a game does not mean the NFL should not come down on players or owners involved in gambling. Fact is it is not just the NFL, MLB is the same way. They are not going to risk the games coming under question because of business dealing in the gaming industry.

Yes it does. It's an overreaction. Why would owning some casino that does not involve itself in sports betting risk any games?

 

[Doomsay]

League does not care if fans bet they have no control of the outcome of the game. I don't see anything sanctimonious about the league ensuring players are not involved.

The operative word here however is "Bingo"....yes, "Bingo."

 

[Doomsday101]

Yes it does. It's an overreaction. Why would owning some casino that does not involve itself in sports betting risk any games?

Pro sports will not take any chances with players or owners involved in gambling period. Sport has had enough incidents over the years involving players and gambling that they will not tolerate it.

Again it is not just the NFL it is sports in general who will not tolerate it.

To make any exception when it comes to gambling leaves the door open for big trouble and they will not allow that to happen.

If you think it is over reaction well fine but again they are not going to soften their stance and have enough incidents over the years to be justified in their stance.

 

[Doomsday101]

The operative word here however is "Bingo"....yes, "Bingo."

I understand it is bingo. Pete Rozelle's forced Namath to sell his NY Bar because of of known mobster involved in gambling who were regulars at Namath bar.

Maybe because of the fact that Paul Horning and Alex Karras were involved in a gambling incident that got the banned from the NFL. People can complain all they want but the bottom line sports gets very leery of any involvement of gambling when it comes to the franchise or it's players

 

[bracey]

Pro sports will not take any chances with players or owners involved in gambling period. Sport has had enough incidents over the years involving players and gambling that they will not tolerate it.

Again it is not just the NFL it is sports in general who will not tolerate it.

To make any exception when it comes to gambling leaves the door open for big trouble and they will not allow that to happen.

If you think it is over reaction well fine but again they are not going to soften their stance and have enough incidents over the years to be justified in their stance.

That's not logical thinking. Just because other American sports act stupid doesn't mean the NFL is justified in following along like a lemming. I completely understand keeping owners and players out of sports gambling. I do not understand keeping them out of other gambling. Might as well bar them from any other financial business then.

 

[Doomsday101]

That's not logical thinking. Just because other American sports act stupid doesn't mean the NFL is justified in following along like a lemming. I completely understand keeping owners and players out of sports gambling. I do not understand keeping them out of other gambling. Might as well bar them from any other financial business then.

Following along? They have had strict rules on gambling since Pete Rozells was the commissioner. They are not going to allow any form of gambling to players or owner even those you might feel is no big deal. You can claim it is wrong but they are not going to ease up when it comes to this topic.

Heck they will slap you on the wrist for drug use but gambling they have always put their foot down.

 

[Kangaroo]

Following along? They have had strict rules on gambling since Pete Rozells was the commissioner. They are not going to allow any form of gambling to players or owner even those you might feel is no big deal. You can claim it is wrong but they are not going to ease up when it comes to this topic.

Heck they will slap you on the wrist for drug use but gambling they have always put their foot down.

Because if a majority of the fans ever really think a game is fixed no matter what the NFL will lose billions of dollars. They are cracking down for a reason because one thing leads to another and then you have a full scale scandal.