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The Liam Coen-led Jacksonville Jaguars head into a Week 9 showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, a setting synonymous with casinos and gambling. With so many distractions around town, Coen has issued a warning to his players ahead of the game. “Do not go into the casino at all. Don’t even have dinner in there,” Liam Coen stated, according to Mia O’Brien. Coen’s message emphasizes that the players need to steer clear of the casino environment ahead of the game. The league-wide effort to preserve competitive integrity is at the core of the instruction. High-profile individuals were recently arrested in the NBA as part of a gambling investigation, including proposition bets and unlawfully rigged actions. Terry Rozier, a guard for the Miami Heat, and NBA coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers were among those detained by the FBI during the investigation. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad In response, the NFL sent out a statement alerting players to severe restrictions. Coen is encouraging his squad to stay away from casinos, to reduce the possibility of any off-field problems that would cause the team to lose focus or come under league scrutiny. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad After a bye week, Jacksonville comes into the match at 4-3 and is still in the running for the playoffs. Las Vegas, on the other hand, is near the bottom of the AFC West with a 2-5 record and has to win to maintain momentum. Coen’s message to the Jaguars is to safeguard the objective because there is a lot at risk both on and off the field in a city where gambling is the primary industry. The NFL’s active enforcement of new gambling warnings The NFL recently issued a clear notice to all clubs and players reaffirming its gambling regulations. “We all have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the Shield by ensuring that our game is played fairly, honestly, and to the best of a player’s ability. NFL players must also take appropriate steps to safeguard the game against gambling-related risks that may undermine the confidence and trust of the fans,” the NFL management council wrote in the memo. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports According to the memo, players are prohibited from betting on NFL games, manipulating any play or result. They are not allowed to disclose private, non-public information about any player or game. The NFL’s focus has changed from previous passive oversight to strict regulation as gambling has become increasingly common and popular. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad A player who bets on his own team may be suspended for at least two years under the new regulations. Disclosing insider information or trying to manipulate a game might result in much longer bans. It also prohibits going inside a sportsbook while on team business or helping someone else place a wager. By being open about any gambling-related interactions, refraining from placing bets while on team property, or on road trips. The league expects players to help by reading the entire policy paper sent by the league office. As the NFL is stepping up its attempts to protect integrity and public confidence, while sports betting rises.