NFL's major play in legal sports betting: Partnerships & revenue growth

As the new National Football League (NFL) season commences, it is embracing legalized sports betting to an unprecedented extent. Since the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 paved the way for more states to legalize sports gambling, the league and its teams have adopted betting as a primary source of revenue growth. 

The NFL’s substantial partnerships with industry leaders such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars Entertainment are reportedly valued at nearly $1 billion over five years.

These alliances are represented within the league, with sportsbook branding, like the blue FanDuel signs adorning both end zones and the presence of the MGM National Harbor casino logo on a stadium staircase at the Commanders' home. 

However, the legalization of sports gambling has come with its share of challenges. During the offseason, the NFL imposed its most comprehensive set of penalties for violations of its gambling policy.

Notably, 10 players are currently serving suspensions, with seven of them banned for the entire season due to their wagers on NFL games. These developments have raised questions about the impact on fans, who are regularly exposed to various incentives like free merchandise and substantial bonus bets during games.

During an interview on NBC's pregame show prior to the season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the league had long been opposed to legalized sports betting due to concerns about the game's integrity. 

However, following the Supreme Court's ruling, the NFL entered this space. Goodell hinted that the league's collaborations with gambling entities offered an opportunity to educate fans, though he did not elaborate on the specifics.

Additionally, three players are serving shorter suspensions for betting on other sports within their team's facilities, while the league's policy for coaches and other personnel prohibits any form of sports betting beyond the NFL. This distinguishes the NFL from other professional leagues, such as Major League Baseball, which restricts betting only on baseball games or illegal gambling.

NFL betting dynamics

Furthermore, apart from the strict penalties for NFL players who engage in betting on NFL games, there is a lesser-known aspect of sports gambling that has gained traction in the betting industry. This involves the inclusion of crash games, a dynamic form of betting.

Crash games are not part of the traditional sports landscape but have garnered attention from sports enthusiasts and bettors. Players participating in these crash games can wager on a wide range of variables, from the outcome of a game or match to in-game occurrences like player statistics. Crash games introduce an element of unpredictability and excitement, as the betting odds can rapidly soar or crash based on the unfolding events during a match.

There are various versions of crash games available, including the opportunity to play Bitcoin crash games at Sportsbet.io casino. The classic crash game starts with a multiplier at 1x or 0 and steadily increases. Players have the freedom to click and cash out whenever they want. Manual crash games, on the other hand, allow players to influence the rate at which the multiplier rises, adding a strategic element to the game."

Responsible gambling practices are essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. The specific rules and features of crash games may vary between different gambling platforms, so players should familiarize themselves with the specific conditions of the game they choose to play.

Despite the NFL's strict stance on traditional sports betting, the league's policies are notably silent on crash games and their potential influence on the game's integrity. This is in stark contrast to leagues like Major League Baseball, which explicitly restrict betting on baseball games or illegal gambling but do not address emerging forms of sports-related betting.

Cover Credits: (Unsplash/Keenan Constance)