Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - National Football League players who bet on NFL games will face harsher penalties under the league's revised gambling policy, according to a memo obtained by Reuters on Friday.
Players who bet on games involving their own teams will face a minimum two-year suspension, while betting on any NFL game will result in a minimum one-year suspension.
The league said it was working with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to develop a program educating players on changes to the policy.
"The NFL and NFL Players Association share a longstanding and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the game," the league and NFLPA said in a joint statement.
Several NFL players have faced punishment for gambling over the last two years, as sports betting has become legal in more U.S. states and been made increasingly accessible.
Persons:
Stephen Lew, Roger Goodell, NFLPA, Nicholas Petit, Frere, Jameson Williams, Stanley Berryhill, Amy Tennery
Organizations:
NFL, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Caesars Superdome, National Football League, Reuters, NFL Players Association, Tennessee Titans, Detroit Lions, Thomson
Locations:
New Orleans , Louisiana, USA, New York