NFL-themed slot machines now available at casinos
The NFL is downright confusing. Earlier this offseason, the league suspended players for violating its gambling policy. But now they’re promoting gambling? The NFL has just introduced NFL-themed slot machines across casinos this season. The move is confusing but let’s dive deeper.
The league has partnered with Aristocrat Gaming to bring the gambling more league-wide. The slot machines will feature all 32 NFL teams on the machines.
“The unveiling of the first NFL-themed slot machines represents an opportunity to bring the League closer to our fans in a new area,” Joe Ruggiero, SVP of Consumer Products at the NFL, said, via PFT. “We have valued collaborating with Aristocrat to bring their vision and responsible gaming resources to fans during the 2023 NFL season and beyond.”
“I truly believe that this could be an industry changing event for for slot machines and for casinos themselves … pushing the boundaries, driving innovation to something that really has never been done before,” Aristocrat Gaming CEO Hector Fernandez said.
I honestly don’t get the NFL at this point. Let’s just promote gambling across the league, but suspend players when they do it? I mean, what? If you’re going to promote gambling with your name and licensing on it, why suspend players acting like it’s bad? Yes, it may be a little different from betting on games, but it is becoming two-faced and partial to money.
Earlier this year, Calvin Ridley, a receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, spoke out on gambling and the effects it had on him.
“I paid the price, believe me. I’ve seen all the jokes. I’ve seen all the hate. And I can shoulder all of that, no problem,” Ridley said. “All I want is for people to understand that, when I made those bets, there was a hell of a lot more going on with me.“
“After practice, once that painkiller wears off, you still have to come home and be a husband and a father. My daughter don’t care,” Ridley wrote. “She’s two years old, and she’s running straight up to me, “Dadddyyyyyy!!!” She’s wanting to bake some cookies in the Fisher-Price oven, you know? But I’m coming home broken. I can’t even do anything but lie around in a dark room.“
The NFL knows the effects gambling has on its players and their lives. Yes, it may be a different form, but it’s all the same consequence, and they continue to promote it. Awful.
What are your thoughts on the NFL promoting gambling and their new slot machines? Let us know in the comments down below.
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