NBA Increases Oversight on Player Prop Bets Amid Integrity Concerns
NBA Cracks Down on Player Prop Betting
The NBA, along with its official sports betting partners, is intensifying its scrutiny of player prop bets due to recent gambling controversies. The league is examining which types of wagers are most susceptible to manipulation and considering new restrictions to ensure fair play, according to sources.
Focus on High-Risk Bets
Prior to the start of the season, the NBA identified certain bets—like those on missed free throws, fouls, and turnovers—as particularly vulnerable to abuse. The league requested sportsbooks to refrain from offering wagers on these events.
In response, major operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings agreed to comply. FanDuel had already excluded these types of bets for years, while DraftKings discontinued in-game free throw betting before the current season began.
Negotiations continue regarding appropriate betting limits for sensitive wagers. Representatives from the NBA have emphasized that individual player prop bets require heightened integrity checks and additional oversight.
Case Spotlight: Terry Rozier Investigation
Concerns over player prop bets intensified following the indictment of veteran guard Terry Rozier, who is accused of conspiring with gamblers. Federal investigations revealed that Rozier informed a childhood friend about his intention to leave a March 2023 game early.
This insider information was allegedly exploited by bettors, resulting in approximately $100,000 wagered based on Rozier’s expected early exit. On game day, Rozier played just over nine minutes, citing a foot injury, while sportsbooks saw a surge of bets on his underperformance stats, totaling nearly $257,700 across multiple platforms.
A DraftKings spokesperson stated that the response to recent events highlights the effectiveness of the regulated sports betting industry’s collaborative efforts among operators, leagues, regulators, and integrity monitoring teams.
Similarly, FanDuel confirmed that its risk management and trading teams actively oversee games and coordinate with the NBA to eliminate high-risk bets, particularly focusing on players with two-way or short-term contracts.
Ongoing Concerns and Challenges
The NBA’s unease regarding player prop bets is longstanding. Before this season, the league requested sportsbooks to stop accepting bets on players on two-way or 10-day contracts, particularly after the incident involving former Raptors center Jontay Porter, who was banned for manipulating games to benefit gamblers. Notably, some bettors linked to Porter’s case are also connected to the Rozier investigation.
As player prop bets become increasingly popular, especially in parlay wagers, the NBA’s influence is limited to licensed sportsbooks. Other betting platforms such as daily fantasy sports, prediction markets, and offshore sites operate with less regulatory oversight.
Jeremy Kudon, president of the Sports Betting Alliance, warned that an outright ban on prop bets might drive bettors toward unregulated markets, creating a “dangerous blind spot” that complicates efforts to safeguard the integrity of the game.
