NBA, players’ union back stricter limits on prop bets amid gambling probe

With three players connected to a federal gambling investigation, the NBA and its players’ association said this week they support tighter restrictions on certain types of bets in an effort to protect the game and reduce harassment of players.

“Protecting the integrity of our game is paramount, and we believe reasonable limitations on certain prop bets should be given due consideration,” an NBA spokesperson told ESPN. “Any approach should aim to reduce the risk of performance manipulation while ensuring that fans who wish to place prop bets can continue to do so via legal, regulated markets.”

The discussion comes in the wake of former Raptors forward Jontay Porter being banned from the league in April 2024 after commissioner Adam Silver found he had manipulated his performance in two games.

Porter pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges in July, admitting in court that he took himself out of two contests during the 2023-24 season so associates could profit from bets on the under for his statistics.

In response, the NBA asked partner sportsbooks to halt wagering on the under for player props involving those on two-way contracts, like Porter at the time. Now, the league is signaling that more restrictions could be coming.

Porter is one of three players, along with Terry Rozier and Malik Beasley, known to be part of the federal gambling probe. Neither Rozier nor Beasley has been charged. The National Basketball Players Association has called Porter’s case an outlier and says there is no evidence of widespread manipulation. The union is more concerned about abuse players face from angry bettors.

“[Players] are concerned that prop bets have become an increasingly alarming source of player harassment, both online and in person,” an NBPA spokesperson said. “If tighter regulations can help minimize that abuse, then we support taking a closer look at them.”

Two states, Ohio and New Jersey, have already moved to limit certain wagers. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has called for a ban on microbets, or wagers on specific in-game events, after two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were placed on leave amid an MLB investigation into suspicious bets on individual pitches. MLB is reviewing the matter.

In New Jersey, Assembly member Dan Hutchison introduced a bill to remove microbets from the state’s sportsbooks.

“I just think it’s going too far,” Hutchison told ESPN. “We’re going to corrupt our youth as well as corrupt the integrity of the sport.”

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