Sports Betting

NFL Asks Illinois to Prohibit ‘Inherently Objectionable’ Betting Markets

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NFL Asks Illinois to Prohibit 'Inherently Objectionable' Betting Markets

The NFL has requested a ban on nearly a dozen of certain prop bets deemed “susceptible to manipulation” and “inherently objectionable” in the state of Illinois. These types of bets are “predetermined or 100% determined by one person.”

NFL has asked Illinois to ban 11 types of prop bets

Following a formal request sent by the NFL to have 11 types of bets prohibited, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced that administrator Marcus Fruchter issued a temporary suspension on Thursday.

“Pursuant to Rule 1900.1130(i), I have determined that any wagering of the manner identified in the attached request poses a significant likelihood of serious risk to the integrity of the Illinois sports wagering industry,” Fruchter wrote on a signed-off request form.

“Accordingly, I am suspending all such wagering in Ilinois (online and in-person) effective October 24, 2024, at 12:00 PM Central Standard Time. … The suspension shall remain in place until such time as it is rescinded under Rule 1900.1130(3) or the [Illinois Gaming Board] issues a final Order.”

The prop bets labeled “susceptible to manipulation” are “predetermined or 100% determinable by one person.” Such betting markets include the first play of the game and the first pass to be incomplete. Another one is a player to miss a field goal or extra-point try.

The NFL also wants to halt any wagers that involve roster or personnel decisions and officiating assignments. Of course, roster moves or changes are determined before a game.

Wagers involving player injuries, penalties, player misconduct, fan safety, and replay results are also banned

“Prohibiting these wagers altogether would complement NFL policies that require game participants, and other NFL personnel, to use their best efforts on the playing field and to protect NFL ‘inside information,’” Jonathan Nabavi, vice president for the NFL Public Policy and Government Affairs, wrote in the request form to the IGB.

Other wagers temporarily banned involve player injuries, player misconduct, fan safety, penalties, and replay results. The NFL says those bets are “inherently derogatory, designed to be inflammatory, or otherwise based on subject matter against policy.”

Nabavi also added that the league is taking the “appropriate steps” to ensure safe, fair sports betting. Fans’ participation should not be “subjected to unfair and unwarranted allegations relating to sports gambling.”

Additionally, Nabavi said that the NFL has worked to prohibit these wagers in several other U.S. territories. Listed states include Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont.

Even if no harm was done, the NFL doesn’t want to allow these types of bets. The wagers can create the perception that someone involved with a team could have a financial stake in the bet.

The IGB will revisit the matter at a Dec. 12 meeting. Until this issue is resolved, online and retail sports betting operators in Illinois are prohibited from offering these wagers.

Sportsbooks in the Prairie State have been warned that their licenses could be revoked if they take such bets.