NBA Cracks Down on Player Prop Bets Following Porter, Rozier Gambling Scandals

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is instructing its authorized betting partners, DraftKings and FanDuel, to stop offering certain wagers this season over concerns about gambling integrity, ESPN and The Associated Press (AP) report. LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw against the Boston Celtics during a preseason game in Philadelphia on October 16. (Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) The restrictions include parlays combining multiple under bets on a single player’s statistics, a type of wagering linked to gambling scandals involving NBA players Terry Rozier and Jontay Porter. NBA Targets Risky Prop Bets The NBA is also banning “first-of” markets related to the first basket, 3-pointer, rebound, assist, steal, or block, along with bets on the outcome of the opening tip and whether players will miss specific shots. Under bets on players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes in a game are also prohibited. AP said the league outlined the restrictions in separate memos sent to sportsbooks and teams. Porter Gambling Scandal Sparks Scrutiny Porter, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was permanently banned by the NBA in 2024. He admitted he deliberately left two NBA games early in January and March 2024 while on a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, working with gamblers so they could place winning under bets on his individual statistics. U.S. federal prosecutors said one bettor charged in the scheme placed an $80,000 parlay on the under on Porter’s assists, rebounds, points, 3-pointers, steals, and blocks for a March 2024 game, with a potential payout of about US$1.1 million, ESPN detailed. Porter’s sentencing has been postponed several times and is currently scheduled for Dec. 10, 2026, according to Courthouse News. Porter faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, although sentencing guidelines suggest a substantially shorter term. Rozier Faces Gambling Conspiracy Charges Rozier faces criminal charges over allegations that he collaborated with gamblers and has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege Rozier conspired with gamblers to leave a March 2023 game early while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, allowing bettors to profit from wagers on his statistical unders. AP also reported that all players, coaches and training staff will be required to attend live, in-person training on the NBA’s sports betting rules, starting this season. The league also told teams and sportsbooks it is launching a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based data-monitoring platform to detect and investigate unusual betting activity on NBA games. Stronger Protections Against Bettor Harassment On the player harassment front, the NBA is also being proactive, upgrading its protections after an increase in complaints from players and coaches over abuse by sports bettors. Players can opt into programs that identify and delete harassment and threats on social media. The NBA is also updating its fan code of conduct with stronger messaging about how betting-related harassment is prohibited. The new betting restrictions will extend to Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) games beginning in 2027. The post NBA Cracks Down on Player Prop Bets Following Porter, Rozier Gambling Scandals appeared first on Casino.org.