Referees in the NFL can significantly influence the outcome of a game through their decisions, which can range from validating goals, awarding penalties, issuing red and yellow cards, calling off-sides, and determining foul calls.
This influence has been more pronounced in recent years, with projections indicating that referees had a greater impact on games in 2023 than they had since at least 2020. What steps has the NFL take to deal with this ongoing issue?
In a noteworthy revelation, a prominent figure in NFL officiating, Dean Blandino, currently serving as a FOX Sports rules analyst and formerly the NFL VP of Officiating, discusses below the incidents of attempting to manipulate games for gambling interests.
Blandino delved into the impact of legalized sports gambling on contemporary officials, acknowledging the challenges without explicitly commenting on its influence on the profession.
He did, however, recognize the intensified scrutiny in the league’s screening process for potential referees. As per Blandino, the stringent protocols governing referees remain firmly in effect.
When discussing recent games etched in memories, let’s stroll down memory lane to explore some noteworthy games that an NFL official may have influenced and assess whether it had an impact on betting.
Colts vs Browns – NFL Week 7, 2023
One example of a referee’s influence on a game outcome occurred during an NFL Week 7 game between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.
A defensive pass interference was called on a pass that could have been ruled uncatchable, moving the Browns up to the IND 1, setting up Cleveland to score and eventually win the game, 39-38.
This call by referee Shawn Smith had no effect on the spread since Cleveland closed as a 3.5-point favorite, but moneyline bets went from winners to losers (and vice versa) with two throws of the penalty flag.
Bears vs Saints – 2021 Wild Card Round
Stepping back to 2021 for this next one with the Super Wild Card round of the playoffs when the Chicago Bears met the New Orleans Saints. A controversial ‘taunting penalty’ was called on Cole Kmet of the Bears, which many believe was an overreaction by the referee and significantly affected the result of the game.
Referee Carl Cheffers, the NFL’s senior referee, is known for officiating high penalty games, which can heavily influence the outcome. His crews have assessed an average of 13.5 penalties per game for 118.7 yards.
That all being said the influence of referees on game outcomes has implications for sports betting. With the rise of sports betting, there is increased scrutiny of officiating from the public. Questionable calls that occur on a weekly basis can affect bettors’ portfolios.
There has been speculation among fans and bettors that NFL referees could potentially make calls to sway outcomes due to betting interests. At Betting Insider Journal, we will vigilantly monitor the games and report on any occurrences that appear to be unsportsmanlike.
NFL Forges Relationships with DraftKings, FanDuel & More Online Sportsbooks
It’s important to note that the NFL has measures in place to maintain the integrity of the game. For instance, NFL officials are prohibited from entering sportsbooks, and their finances are closely scrutinized for any irregularities.
In 2021, the NFL granted official approval to four sportsbooks – FOX Bet, BetMGM, PointsBet, and WynnBet. Additionally, the league forged official partnerships with Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Given these strong affiliations, it’s logical for the league to enforce stringent measures around gambling.
In September, the NFL reinforced its gambling policy, imposing more severe penalties on players who engage in betting on their own teams. Notably, this initiative extends to safeguarding referees from potential manipulation.