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The NFL suspended Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw for betting on NFL games, and ESPN’s David Purdum has uncovered details on what led to the suspension. Shaw is suspended through the end of the 2020 season.
Shaw went to a Caesars’ sportsbook in Las Vegas on November 10th and placed a three-team parlay bet on the second half point of three games that day. Purdum reported Cardinals-Buccaneers was one of the games, but does not mention the other three games. The Buccaneers were one-point favorites for the second half and Shaw bet on them to cover against his Cardinals. The Cardinals trailed 17-13 at the half and covered the second half spread in a 30-27 loss.
Shaw was not playing because he was placed on injured reserve. He was not traveling with the team which provided the opportunity to head to Las Vegas on game day and make the bet. Shaw reportedly filled out an application for a betting account and wrote in that his occupation was “professional football player.” The Nevada Gaming Control Board told sports betting reporter Todd Dewey that the sportsbook notified them that day that he had placed the bet.
The NFL prohibits its players from betting on football. Casinos have stringent policies in place whenever any kind of red flag shows up. Whether it be a large bet or the kind of person placing the bet, regulators will know quickly when something is amiss. There are numerous questions still to be answered about what Shaw did, but this shows the ability of regulators to keep an eye on things as needed.