Comment on Illinois bans NFL bets that can be easy to manipulate at the league’s request

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is prohibiting specific types of bets on NFL games due to concerns that some of these bets could be easily manipulated by a single individual. At the request of the NFL, banned bets now include those on first plays, replay outcomes, whether a kicker will miss a field goal or extra point, and whether a quarterback’s first pass of the game will be incomplete. In addition, bets outside of gameplay, such as fan safety, player misconduct, penalties, officiating assignments, and roster or personnel decisions, are also blocked. NFL requests ban on bets that a single player could influence Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter wrote: “Pre-determined choices and actions within the control of individual players, coaches or league officials are susceptible to abuse and manipulation.” He added that the rule is intended to prohibit anything that might be seen as “100% determinable by one person in one play.” Fruchter continued: “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.” The IGB also stated that failure by any Illinois sports wagering operator to comply with the suspension may result in discipline up to and including revocation. Until resolved, online and retail sports betting operators in Illinois are prohibited from offering negative-outcome wagers, which the NFL claims undermine the integrity of the game, players, and consumers. Jonathan Nabavi, vice president for the NFL Public Policy and Government Affairs, said in the same request: “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.’” The NFL is seeking to restrict similar prop bets in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Vermont. The board will revisit the matter at a December 12 meeting. Featured image: Canva The post Illinois bans NFL bets that can be easy to manipulate at the league’s request appeared first on ReadWrite.