Gambling
FILE - Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher speaks to reporters in Cleveland on March 12, 2020. With sports betting now legal in more than half the states and generating millions in revenue for once-apprehensive professional sports leagues, college conferences are starting to explore ways to cash in, too. The MAC was the first to jump in, selling the rights to its data and statistics to a company called Genius Sports, which will in turn sell it to sportsbooks. Steinbrecher said it is impossible to ignore the changing reality. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
College sports eye gambling money amid safeguard concerns

By Ralph D. Russo May. 26, 2022 02:23 AM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his touchdown with fans during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns are betting on betting. The team announced a long-term partnership Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with Bally's that will make the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As as part of the agreement, Bally's will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Column: Draft cements the marriage of Las Vegas and NFL

By Tim Dahlberg Apr. 27, 2022 01:23 AM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his touchdown with fans during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns are betting on betting. The team announced a long-term partnership Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with Bally's that will make the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As as part of the agreement, Bally's will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy Stadium. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Browns team with gaming giant Bally's as betting partner

By Tom Withers Apr. 26, 2022 12:34 PM EDT

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) practices with the team during NFL football practice, Aug. 2, 2021, in Houston. Watson's complicated past didn't dissuade the Cleveland Browns from betting on the quarterback's future. He's on Cleveland's roster, and at this point that's the only certainty with the talented yet controversial QB. Watson's stunning trade to the Browns became official Sunday, March 20, 2022 capping a whirlwind few days during in which the three-time Pro Bowler — accused by 22 women of sexual harassment or assault — agreed to come to Cleveland after initially telling the team he wouldn't. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Deshaun Watson trade done, Browns defend decision to add QB

By Tom Withers Mar. 20, 2022 12:03 PM EDT

Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) celebrates while cutting the net after an NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won the Pac-12 Conference Championship. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Hoop hype: March Madness brackets get America talking again

By Eddie Pells Mar. 15, 2022 10:59 AM EDT

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, to serve as a senior defensive assistant. The hiring comes less than three weeks after Flores sued the NFL and three teams over alleged racist hiring practices following his dismissal by Miami in January. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Column: National Hypocrisy League shows true colors again

By Paul Newberry Mar. 11, 2022 06:05 PM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

By The Associated Press Mar. 10, 2022 11:46 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch during the team's NFL training camp football practice Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Column: 1 betting rule remains sacrosanct in the NFL

By Tim Dahlberg Mar. 08, 2022 02:14 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in the 2021 season. The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, March 7, 2022, is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team while addressing mental health concerns.(AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
Falcons WR Ridley suspended for '22 for bets on NFL games

By Charles Odum Mar. 07, 2022 03:53 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley suspended through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games

Mar. 07, 2022 03:43 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley suspended through at least the 2022 season for betting on NFL games. ...

A man places a bet at the sportsbook at the Ocean Casino Resort, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Atlantic City, N.J. The American Gaming Association estimates more than 31 million Americans will bet on this year's Super Bowl NFL football game. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
States report heavy betting on this year's Super Bowl

By Wayne Parry Feb. 15, 2022 01:20 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) runs from Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38) after catching a pass during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Kupp, Higgins, Stafford are key player props for Super Bowl

By Matt Kupferle Feb. 09, 2022 02:07 PM EST

Lambeau Field is seen before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Return of crowds did little to boost home advantage in NFL

By Josh Dubow Jan. 05, 2022 12:26 PM EST

FILE - Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) is shown against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. Harden was among the athletes who either won or lost the most money for sports bettors in 2021, according to several national sports books. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks 12/10/2021

Dec. 29, 2021 05:29 AM EST

FILE - Shohei Ohtani wins the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award from Rob Manfred before Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. Ohtani was among the athletes who either won or lost the most money for sports bettors in 2021, according to several national sports books. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Braves at Astros 10/26/2021

Dec. 29, 2021 05:29 AM EST

FILE - Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is interviewed after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. Kupp was among the athletes who either won or lost the most money for sports bettors in 2021, according to several national sports books. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
These players won (and lost) sports bettors the most in 2021

By Wayne Parry Dec. 29, 2021 05:27 AM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 01:37 PM EST

New England Patriots fan Vincent Farricielli, of Guilford, Conn., pumps iron while tailgating prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots 12/26/2021

Dec. 26, 2021 11:57 AM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12/19/2021

Dec. 19, 2021 08:29 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians rides onto the field in a golf cart before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. Arian tore his achilles tendon while running earlier in the week. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12/12/2021

Dec. 12, 2021 04:29 PM EST