The Arizona Department of Gaming has opened an investigation into the alleged betting activity that led the NFL to suspend Arizona Cardinals director of college scouting Ryan Gold indefinitely, a spokesperson for the state regulator confirmed this week.
The NFL announced last week that Gold had been suspended for violating the league’s gambling policy, accusing him of providing “confidential, non-public inside information” about the Cardinals’ 2026 draft selections before they were announced. The league also alleged that Gold participated in parlay bets on NFL and college football games.
The Allegations
According to the NFL’s investigation, Gold shared private information regarding the Cardinals’ draft picks prior to their public announcement. The league said its review included interviews with relevant individuals and an examination of electronic records.
The Cardinals have fully cooperated with the investigation, and the NFL stated there is no indication that any other member of the organization, coach, or player was aware of or involved in the activity. The league also said there was no evidence that any game or play was affected.
Gold Fights Back
Gold’s attorney, Mike Caspino, told ESPN that an appeal has been filed and that Gold maintains his innocence.
“Ryan Gold did absolutely nothing wrong here, and we look forward to clearing his name,” Caspino said.
Caspino told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Gold could not have divulged the Cardinals’ draft picks because he actually did not know who the team was selecting. The attorney also claimed that the parlays in question were weekly bets made by Gold’s wife with a group of high school friends, and that Gold was not involved in those wagers.
What the NFL Policy Says
The NFL’s gambling policy, which is reviewed annually with all personnel, strictly prohibits anyone in the league from participating in or facilitating any form of sports gambling and from providing third parties with non-public information.
For league and club staff — as opposed to players — the rules are even stricter. NFL players may legally place bets on other sports as long as they are off club property, but club employees like Gold face a blanket prohibition.
What’s Next
Gold has the right to appeal the suspension, and the Arizona Department of Gaming’s parallel investigation adds another layer of scrutiny. The regulator “regularly works with integrity monitoring organizations and sports leagues in situations like this,” the spokesperson said.
For the Cardinals, the focus remains on training camp, which opens next week. But with a state-level investigation now active and a league suspension under appeal, this story is far from over.
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