The NBA is embarking on some new horizons given how commonplace gambling has become. With it being legalized more and more in the United States, how people watch games now is changing as well.
This week, it was announced that NBA League Pass is taking its interface to another level to include live gambling. Viewers will be able to wager on the game their watching in real time with the option to place bets being right on the screen.
This is a massive revenue stream for the NBA, something they were not going to turn down. But, there are some pitfalls when it comes to gambling, as players and coaches receive attention they do not want.
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton was very open about the impact gambling has on him as a player. He said people will message him about stats they need to hit bets, as he feels more like a prop than anything.
There are some people who go over the line when it comes to interaction, evidenced by the horror story Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B Bickerstaff shared. Last season, Bickerstaff revealed that a gambler contacted him, sending threatening messages.
“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said before the Cavs hosted the Miami Heat. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”
He alerted the NBA to what was happening right away and they got to work figuring it out. Bickerstaff added that the person who was sending the messages was found, but no charges were made.
The Cavaliers head coach touched on how much challenging his job as gotten since gambling became more prevalent. It is hard enough being a coach in the NBA as it is, he doesn’t need more pressure from outside influences.
“It brings added pressure,” he said. “It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, everybody that’s involved in it. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it.
“Because again, it does carry a weight. A lot of times the people who are gambling like this money pays their light bill or pay their rent, and then the emotions that come from that. So I do think we’re walking a very fine line and we have to be extremely careful in protecting everybody who’s involved.”
With wagering now being allowed in some arenas, lines are being blurred more than ever before. It is an adjustment for everyone involved, especially players and coaches, but as long as the NBA is making as much money as they have been, it is hard to envision many changes being made.
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