Professional Athlete Sports Betting: Legal Steps and Penalties

The majority of states have legalized sports betting, including casino sportsbooks and online betting apps. Sports gambling is legal for most adults, but professional athletes face restrictions on when they can bet and which events they can bet on.

Professional athletic leagues generally limit sports betting for players and employees. However, professional athletes can also face criminal charges for game manipulation and match fixing. For more information about the legal risks of professional athlete sports betting, talk to a local sports and entertainment lawyer.

Can Professional Athletes Bet on Sports?

Most adults can bet on sports in most states. Some states allow sports betting for adults aged 18 or older, but most limit it to people aged 21 or older. However, professional athletes are subject to further restrictions on sports betting.

There are employment and league rules that restrict most professional athletes from betting on their sport. There may also be criminal penalties when a professional athlete is involved in fixing games, points shaving, or betting on insider information.

Protect Your Rights and Image as an Artist or Athlete

Whether you are an actor, athlete, singer, writer, or model, use the Super Lawyers directory to find a top attorney who can protect your name and creations.

Find a lawyer today

League and Sports Rules for Betting on Games

Professional sports leagues generally have rules that prevent players from betting on their sport. Athletes should review their player contracts to understand the restrictions on their sporting events and fantasy sports betting.

National Football League Sports Betting

For example, players in the National Football League (NFL) cannot bet on NFL events. They can bet on non-NFL sporting events through legal sports betting means. However, NFL rules prohibit coaches, trainers, and other officials from engaging in sports betting, even for non-NFL events.

Under NFL rules, NFL players who bet on NFL football games can face a suspension of at least one year. Athletes can also face suspensions for non-legal sports betting (illegal bookmakers).

National Basketball Association Sports Betting

NBA players and employees cannot bet on NBA games, including Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and other NBA-related sports.

The collective bargaining agreement for NBA players and teams addresses the limits on sports betting. Players can face suspensions, fines, or dismissal for violating the sports gambling restrictions.

Major League Baseball Sports Betting

Major League Baseball (MLB) players cannot gamble on any baseball games or events. Even fantasy baseball betting or minor league bets are also prohibited.

Players can face expulsion, suspension, a lifetime ban, or other sanctions for betting on baseball.

National Hockey League Sports Betting

Players in the National Hockey League (NHL) are similarly prohibited from betting on NHL games. However, NHL players can bet on non-NHL events.

Betting on hockey games can result in suspension, fines, or expulsion from the league.

Legal Risks of Sports Betting for Athletes

Some illegal gambling activity can also pose a risk for criminal charges. Rigging games, points shaving, or match-fixing is a crime. Charges can include wire fraud, money laundering, and transmitting wagering information.

Under federal law, bribery in a sporting contest is a felony. Sporting contests include games or contests in any sport, amateur or professional. Penalties for conspiring to offer or accept bribes in sports betting include fines and up to five years’ imprisonment. Sporting bribery often involves wire fraud, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

For example, in 2024, NBA basketball player Jontay Porter was accused of leaving games early to fix “under” prop bets on his performance. He pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Olympic Sports Betting

Sports betting platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings offer bettors options to place bets on less common games, including Olympic competitions.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committees prohibit wagering on Olympic competitions for athletes and coaches involved in those events.

Professional Athletes and College Sports

College athletes may have different obligations than professional athletes. After major U.S. Supreme Court rulings in NCAA-related lawsuits, college athletes can enter revenue-sharing deals and receive compensation through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements. However, student athletes are not treated as employees, unlike professional athletes.

According to NCAA rules, student-athletes cannot bet on any sports sponsored by the NCAA, including intercollegiate games, practices, or professional competitions. However, students can bet on other sporting events that do not feature NCAA championships, including horse racing. Athletes are still bound by state and local gambling laws, which can further restrict sports betting.

Students sign an athlete statement outlining the gambling policies. Violations can result in suspension or loss of eligibility for a student-athlete.

The NCAA and Division I athletic departments may monitor athletes for potential warnings, including checking phones during games, unexpected injuries right before a game, and social media showing large amounts of cash.

Addressing Gambling Addiction

Some people have difficulty resisting sports wagering if they have a gambling addiction. Gambling problems can chase gambling losses, harming their finances and personal relationships.

If you need help with a gambling problem, talk to your mental health professional. You can also contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET.

Legal Advice for Professional Athletes and Sports Betting

Professional restrictions on athlete betting activity are generally enforceable. If you have questions about professional athletes betting on sports, contact a local sports and entertainment attorney for legal advice.