The National Football League (NFL) has suspended a player for betting on league games “on multiple occasions” this season.
Last week, the NFL announced that Josh Shaw of the Arizona Cardinals has been suspended through the 2020 season for placing bets on league games.
The NFL’s rules prohibit players from placing wagers on league games. Shaw, the Cardinals’ defensive linebacker, is the first NFL player to be suspended for betting on league games since 1996.
Shaw, who is currently on injured reserve, has been suspended indefinitely and may petition for reinstatement on or after February 15 2021.
According to a statement issued by the NFL, Shaw placed wagers on multiple games this season. The statement said: “ A league investigation uncovered no evidence indicating any inside information was used or that any game was compromised in any way. Nor was there evidence suggesting any awareness by teammates, coaches or other players of his betting activity.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “The continued success of the NFL depends directly on each of us doing everything necessary to safeguard the integrity of the game and the reputations of all who participate in the league. At the core of this responsibility is the longstanding principle that betting on NFL games, or on any element of a game, puts at risk the integrity of the game, damages public confidence in the NFL, and is forbidden under all circumstances.”
Where were the bets placed?
Although the Cardinals are based in Arizona, this is a state does not have legal and regulated sports betting.
According to a tweet from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport Shaw visited a Vegas casino this fall. The tweet read: “On the Josh Shaw suspension, via sources close to him: Shaw went to a Vegas casino this fall with buddies from HS. He’s on IR & hasn’t been around the team since preseason. Shaw placed sports bets for the 1st time based on misinterpreted understanding of the Supreme Court ruling.”
Sports betting in the US
Following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) last year, several states have moved to legalize sports betting. Currently, 13 states have launched legal and regulated sports betting industries.
In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia and Oregon, residents can place sports wagers online from anywhere within state lines.
