Arizona Probes Betting Claims Against Suspended Cardinals Executive Who Denies Involvement

The Arizona Department of Gaming is investigating alleged betting activity involving Arizona Cardinals director of college scouting Ryan Gold, a state regulator spokesperson said. The inquiry follows the NFL's indefinite suspension of Gold last week for violating the league's gambling policy.

The NFL accused Gold of providing confidential, non-public information about the Cardinals' 2026 draft selections before they were announced.

It also alleged that Gold participated in parlay bets on NFL and college football games. Gold's attorney, Mike Caspino, told ESPN on Tuesday that he has filed an appeal with the NFL. Caspino stated that Gold did absolutely nothing wrong and that the couple looks forward to clearing his name.

Caspino told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Gold could not have revealed the Cardinals' draft picks because he did not know who they were selecting. Arizona chose Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. Sportsbooks had seen heavy betting on Love to go third.

BetMGM opened him at 30-1 in March and shortened the odds to 2-1 two days before the draft. DK Sports reported that more bets and more money were placed on Love to go No. 3 than on any other player offered.

Caspino said the parlays in question were $10 weekly bets placed by Gold's wife with a group of high school friends and that Gold was not involved. The Arizona Department of Gaming spokesperson confirmed it had been notified and regularly works with integrity monitoring groups and leagues on such matters. Gold is in his 13th season with the Cardinals.