NFL Betting Scandal Puts Burgeoning Industry on Red Alert
The NFL's one-year suspension of star Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley for betting on league games was hailed by experts as a compliance success story, even as it shows that leagues must do more to educate players amid the proliferation of legal betting.
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The hefty suspension — Ridley is not eligible to apply for reinstatement until Feb. 15, 2023 — could go a long way in sending a message to players. Blank Rome LLP white-collar defense and gambling attorney Dennis M.P. Ehling said future violations could result in even harsher punishments.
"If people suspect the integrity of the games and the outcome [is in question], the interest in the league can and almost certainly will suffer," Ehling said. "So sending a message to all participants is important to make sure the consequences of breaking the rules are real and significant enough to be an adequate deterrent to all other participants."
"If one year does not prove to be enough to dissuade others, I could see leagues even pursuing longer suspensions and other punishments," Ehling added.
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"NFL Betting Scandal Puts Burgeoning Industry on Red Alert," by Zachary Zagger was published in Law360 on March 8, 2022.