In the wake of recent gambling scandals, the NBA and its partner sportsbooks are intensifying their review of bets most vulnerable to manipulation and evaluating appropriate wager limits to protect the integrity of the game. This ongoing effort aims to identify and mitigate risks associated with certain types of wagers that could be exploited by players or insiders.
The discussions, which continued as of Thursday, focus on pinpointing specific bet categories that are easily influenced, such as missed free throws, fouls, and turnovers. Before the current season, the NBA formally requested major sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings to remove these offerings from their platforms, and both companies have complied. FanDuel noted it had not offered such wagers in past seasons, while DraftKings adjusted its in-game betting options to exclude pre-game availability for these bets. Betting limits are also under scrutiny, particularly for player prop bets, which involve individual performance metrics like points or rebounds.
Prop bets on player statistics have come under increased scrutiny after federal authorities alleged that veteran NBA guard Terry Rozier conspired with gamblers in a scheme centered on his props. According to the indictment, Rozier informed a childhood friend of his plan to exit a March 2023 game early, and the friend sold this information to bettors for approximately $100,000. This led to a surge in betting interest on the under for Rozier’s statistics, prompting sportsbooks to take his prop bets off the board hours before the game. In that game, Rozier played just over nine minutes before leaving with a cited foot injury, and betting records show wagers on the under for his stats totaled $257,700 across multiple platforms.
The Rozier scandal follows an earlier incident involving Jontay Porter, a former Toronto Raptors center on a two-way contract, who was banned from the league after admitting to manipulating his performance in two games during the 2023-24 season. Porter’s actions allowed bettors to profit on unders for his prop bets, and some of the same individuals were named in the Rozier indictment last week. These cases have amplified concerns about the vulnerability of prop bets, especially for players with less secure contracts, leading the NBA to request sportsbooks not to offer betting on the under for players on two-way or 10-day contracts.
Industry responses highlight the effectiveness of the regulated betting environment. DraftKings stated that recent events demonstrate how collaboration among operators, leagues, regulators, and law enforcement helps uncover suspicious activity. Similarly, FanDuel emphasized its ongoing dialogue with the NBA, which has led to evolving offerings, including the removal of props for players on two-way or 10-day contracts to reduce manipulation risks. Both sportsbooks have agreed to the NBA’s requests, showcasing a proactive approach to maintaining integrity.
Despite these measures, challenges persist, as the NBA’s influence is limited over daily fantasy operators, prediction markets, and offshore sportsbooks. The Sports Betting Alliance, representing major U.S. sportsbooks, warned that blanket bans on prop bets could push bettors toward unregulated platforms that lack oversight and refuse to cooperate with integrity investigations. This could create dangerous blind spots, hindering efforts to address threats to game integrity and potentially exacerbating risks in the betting ecosystem.
As the NBA and its partners continue to adapt, the focus remains on balancing betting popularity with safeguards. Player prop bets have grown in popularity, particularly in parlays, and represent a significant portion of basketball wagers. The league’s proactive approach, including ongoing reviews and adjusted limits, aims to foster a secure betting environment while addressing the root causes of recent scandals to maintain public trust in the sport and ensure fair competition moving forward.