The NFL announced Thursday that it will be making in-person gambling policy education and training mandatory for all players, changing it from an optional program for players in previous years.

According to the NFL, all players—as well as coaches, scouts, referees, and other league employees—were required to take the training sessions during training camps or the spring minicamp window.

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NFL Focusing on Six Key Rules for Players

In total, the league says that more than 17,000 NFL employees will have received the education training before the regular season begins.

The added emphasis on gambling training comes after a 2023 season after 10 players were suspended for gambling violations, with half of those players betting on NFL games. Another 25 team and league employees also received punishments for violating the league’s gambling policies.

The NFL avoided any situations where game integrity appeared to be in question, as the NBA had to deal with in the case of Jontay Porter or any scandals involving superstars, such as the MLB had with Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara, his translator.

But the league wanted to be proactive in preventing problems from occurring in the upcoming season, especially if it could cut down on players or staff unknowingly breaking rules.

“We learned from last year, when in-person education was optional, the benefits of presenting in-person, including increased engagement and awareness and the opportunity for players to ask questions,” NFL Chief Compliance Officer Sabrina Perel said.

“So for all 32 teams this year, the education was conducted at the team facility during minicamps or training camps.” added, via the Associated Press. 

The NFL’s training sessions focus on six core rules for players:

• Never bet on the NFL, including NFL events such as the draft, combine, pro bowl, or NFL Honors
• Do not ask family, friends, or others to place a bet for you. 
• Don’t engage in any form of gambling at your team facility or stadium while traveling for a road game or staying at a team hotel.
• Don’t share “inside information” that hasn’t been officially announced by the team.
• Don’t enter a sportsbook during the NFL season.
• Don’t play daily fantasy football.

NFL Renews Partnership with National Council on Problem Gambling

The NFL also announced Thursday that it was extending its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The league pledged a three-year, $6.4 million commitment to the NCPG from the NFL Foundation and comes after the NFL previously awarded a $6.2 million grant to the foundation in 2021.

The funding will support the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER), awareness efforts, and the Agility Grants program, which looks to reach communities underserved by existing problem gambling prevention programs.

“We are profoundly grateful for the NFL’s renewed investment in NCPG, which will enable us to grow the essential prevention, education, and awareness initiatives that were established through their initial grant,” Keith Whyte, executive director for NCPG, said in a statement. 

“We look forward to building on the significant progress we’ve made together over the past three years and exploring new avenues for impact.”