Sports betting may be growing more popular by the day, but that doesn't mean NFL players can go around placing bets on whatever they want.
Case in point, New England Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested last week on charges of Computer Fraud and Gaming Prohibited for Persons under 21. Boutte allegedly placed approximately 9,000 bets while he was under the legal gambling age at LSU. His wagers also allegedly included bets on his LSU football games, though his actions in said games are not in question.
It didn't take long for the NFL to launch an investigation into Boutte's activities, but not just into his time at LSU. According to an NFL source, the league is also investigating Boutte for potential bets placed during his time in New England.
"I would expect it to be expansive and into the present day,” the source told Yahoo Sports.
Boutte's arrest and subsequent league investigation come at a time when the league is embracing gambling more and more, with ads left and right and Super Bowl LVIII even being played in Las Vegas. That said, the league is taking precautions to protect the integrity of the game, such as barring players from the two Super Bowl teams from gambling of any kind, not just sports betting.
“The rules are no different for the participating team’s players and other personnel as they would be for any other game,” NFL executive vice president of communications Jeff Miller said. “When on business, there is no gambling, whether it be sports gambling or otherwise. And any player, coach, personnel [and] yours truly who would be caught or identified gambling at a casino would be eligible for the disciplinary process.”
Other players have been subject to league discipline due to gambling before, but Boutte may be the most-severe case in recent memory, which should serve as a warning across the NFL.
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