Sports betting has grown in popularity in recent years with online platforms now accessible to people all around the world in just a few clicks of their smartphone or tablet.
With so many bettors backing different games and enjoying football betting online, it may lead you to wonder whether professional footballers are allowed to place wagers on matches.
This article will run through the rules and regulations footballers must adhere to when it comes to football betting and wagering on other sports.
Are footballers allowed to bet on football matches?
Current professional footballers are prohibited from betting on football, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world, states the official FA website.
Players are not allowed to bet on any football-related matter, including player transfers and team selection and they are not allowed to share inside information either.
Inside information is defined as information a player may be aware of due to their position in the game which is not publicly available, for example, injury news relating to team selection.
Have any footballers been found to have made football bets?
Yes, and a recent example is Premier League striker Ivan Toney. The Brentford star accepted he had broken FA betting rules having been charged with 232 breaches.
The breaches Toney was found guilty of took place between 25 February 2017 and 23 January 2021 during which time he played for Scunthorpe United, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Brentford.
In 2017, former Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton also admitted to placing 1,260 football-related bets over a 10-year period.
What is the punishment if a footballer is found to have placed a bet on football?
In the case of Ivan Toney, the forward was banned from playing for eight months until January 16, 2024 and he was fined £50,000, according to BBC Sport.
The striker is also not allowed to train with his team until September 2023 and he was warned about his future conduct.
Can footballers bet on other sports like horse racing?
Yes, footballers are permitted to bet on any non-football-related betting markets, according to the Professional Footballers’ Association.
However, the PFA of course urges professionals to gamble responsibly but there are no rules stopping players from placing wagers on horse racing, rugby, cricket or any other sport.
Overall, professional players are prohibited from betting on football matches by the FA. However, some footballers have still placed wagers and have faced consequences for those actions.
