As Sports Handle reports, the Indiana Colts defensive back and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers may be subject to investigation due to wagering activities which are not in line with the League’s policy. The National Football League (NFL) policy prohibiting players to place wagers on either home or away games has recently been subject to a series of violations and the latest investigation alleges that the Colts player placed hundreds of wagers, according to the source.
Breech Committed:
The player reportedly placed wagers on Colts on June 4, 2023. The use of the sophisticated geolocation technology and bettor tracking features enabled sports governing bodies to detect suspicious wagering activity. As a result, the investigation has been launched and the player is facing consequences from the League.
Commenting on the prohibited betting activity, Rodgers reportedly said: “I know I have made mistakes and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches, and my teammates. I’ve let people down that I care about.”
He added: “I made an error in judgment and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process. It’s an honor to play in the NFL and I have never taken that lightly. I am very sorry for all of this. “
Another Account Used:
According to Sports Handle, the Colts player seems to have placed the bets through another person’s account. Rogers reportedly used such an account to wager through 2022 and 2023. At the moment, Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is reportedly investigating the potential violations of the Colts player.
On June 5, 2023, the IGC Deputy Director Jenny Reske told the source: “I can confirm that we have received information pertaining to this matter and we are following developments. The IGC is not the lead agency because it involves violations of league policy. We will, however, continue to review information as it emerges to see if it requires any regulatory action.”
No Comment:
The NFL and NFL Players Association reportedly declined to comment on the matter. When ESPN asked the NFL spokesperson for a comment, they said that they had “nothing to add.”
A Series of Violations:
As indicated above, the Rodger’s violation follows a list of recent breeches. In April 2023, the NFL suspended five professional players for placing bets from an NFL facility, which is against the League’s gambling policy strictly prohibiting any form of gambling inside NFL premises.
As a consequence, the NFL suspended Detroit Lions receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill, C.J. Moore, and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney. In 2022, the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended indefinitely for the entire 2022 season for gambling on NFL games and was later traded for the same reason.
Out of the Shadows:
Also, Sports Handle reports that there have recently been several other betting incidents that included professional athletes and staff. For this reason, the topic was discussed at the sports betting conference Summit North America in May 2023.
On the occasion, Casey Clark, senior vice president at the American Gaming Association, told the source: “This is what happens when you take that activity out of the shadows, bring it out in the open, and put it in the regulated marketplace. The greatest testament that the legal market is working is that we’re actually finding that these kind of things are happening.”
Game Protection:
These things are happening in the NFL environment that reportedly embraces sports wagering and enters multiple partnerships with sports wagering operators. However, the League explicitly prohibits players from placing wagers on NFL games either online or inside the NFL facilities. The ban includes betting from other persons’ accounts and the League uses advanced technology to detect any breeches and protect the game. Such protection is indispensable to keep the League’s credibility and, last but not least, the fun of the game.