Former VP of Officiating Claims NFL Officials Were Pressured to Influence Games Due to Betting

There have been attempts to fix NFL games for gambling purposes, according to Dean Blandino, current FOX Sports rules analyst and former NFL VP of Officiating. Blandino noted that legalized sports gambling has heightened scrutiny around the league’s vetting of potential referees, and that strict protocols are currently in place. Referees are thoroughly vetted for any potential conflicts of interest, and the league closely monitors their finances for any suspicious activity. Blandino also revealed that officials have been approached in the past and emphasized the extensive controls in place to prevent any involvement in gambling-related activities. The NFL has also taken strict measures to protect referees from potential fix attempts, as evidenced by their updated gambling policy and partnerships with sportsbooks.