Todd Bowles Says Buccaneers Plan To Hold Meeting on NFL's Gambling Policies
Sports betting has become a polarizing topic over the past couple of years as the level of interest and accessibility in the avenue has increased. The ability to place a bet from a cellphone is already causing plenty of problems for people around the world, including players in the NFL.
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Five players were suspended in April after the league found that members of the group bet on NFL games and non-NFL games from NFL facilities. Earlier this week, the Indianapolis Colts acknowledged that the NFL was investigating a player on the team for gambling. Shortly after, Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers issued an apology on social media.
It remains to be seen what the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell decide to do about the situation. Rodgers is expected to face a harsh punishment and he might not be the only one. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported earlier this week that an NFL probe into sports betting could affect a 'healthy number' of players around the league.
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles spoke about the issue following the team's OTA on Tuesday. He said that the team is planning to have a meeting to go over the gambling policy rules during Mandatory Mini-Camp.
"We have gambling policy rules that we go over every year – probably once in the [summer] once everybody gets here. You don't really do it in the spring because [player attendance] isn't mandatory, so you don't reach everybody," Bowles said on Tuesday. "Next week in mandatory mini-camp, we'll sit down and have that meeting and we'll discuss it. They'll know exactly what they can and can't do."
The Buccaneers aren't the only team taking preventive measures in the wake of these revelations. Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera showed his players a PowerPoint to discuss the potential consequences of sports betting. The league is also expected to make a presentation in the near future and during training camp.
As of now, no Buccaneers have publicly been targeted in the sports gambling investigations. The team is hoping to keep it that way ahead of a season where they've already taken enough lumps in the media.
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