The NFL and NFLPA gambling policy is changing, and it means a lot to the players, especially to the suspended ones, since a few of them will be reinstated soon.

Reduced penalties:

Among the ones who will be back to their previous positions are Jameson Williams, a Lions receiver, and Nicholas Petit-Frere, a Titans offensive lineman. As Tom Pelissero, the NFL Network Insider, claims, the reinstatements will be effective on Monday, October 2nd. 

Before the policy changes, both players had two weeks of their suspensions until they were allowed to get back to their previous positions.

Among other changes that will be implemented in the new policy, the strict penalties draw much attention. Even a lifetime ban will be possible.

However, the penalties for the players who were betting on other sports in the workplace will be reduced. 

The league and players’ union issued a statement, saying: “The NFL and NFL Players Association share a longstanding and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the game. The NFL periodically reviews the gambling policy in consultation with the NFLPA and clubs to ensure it is responsive to changing circumstances and fully addresses this commitment.”

If the players decide to risk and place bets on NFL games, they could get a suspension of at least one year, according to the new policy. If the betting is related to their team, they will be suspended for two years.

When it comes to the lifetime ban, it can be issued if the player tries to mess with the game and fix the results. The punishment for providing the third-party bettor with the information about the games will be indefinite, but the estimated minimum is one year.

However, one of the biggest changes includes the penalties for the ones who are betting on other sports at work. For first-time offenders, the punishment will be a suspension during only two games. If it’s the second-time offender, the ban will last for six games, but the payment won’t be required. If the player violates the rules for the third time, they will be suspended for a minimum of one year.

Williams and Petit-Frere were betting while at a team facility on the games that weren’t NFL, and they got a suspension that lasted for six games. However, according to the new regulations, they’d get suspended for only two games.

Various factors taken into consideration:

As NFL Network reports, each player will be processed individually. The NFL Commissioner will consider their behavior, as well as the previous betting history. The important factor will be the accessibility of confidential information that can endanger the games’ results. 

Also, the Commissioner will take into account the self-reporting violations, as well as the acceptance of responsibility in particular cases, and cooperate with the authorities.

When the NFL proposed its policy, many players got banned and suspended – and some of them were just about to begin the new 2023 season. However, nothing will change for a majority of suspended players, except Williams and Petit-Frere.