US Senator Brian Schatz plans to introduce federal legislation in 2026 to tighten oversight of player proposition bets, including markets offered by offshore sportsbooks. Schatz said recent gambling allegations in professional basketball and baseball show a need for federal protections; draft legislation has not been published.
A federal proposal could change oversight expectations for prop betting beyond state-level rules.
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Reportedly, the NBA has introduced restrictions on selected player-performance bets considered vulnerable to manipulation. The league communicated the measures to authorised bookmakers and teams on 16 October ahead of the 2026–27 season.
The NBA has restricted several categories of player-performance bets for the 2026–27 season, telling authorised bookmakers and teams of the measures in circulars on 16 October. The restrictions apply from the season starting on 20 October, according to the league's communication to operators and clubs.
US lawmakers and regulators are increasingly focusing on player prop betting and bettor misconduct. The report said 15 states had banned college prop betting. It also cited a March 2026 NCAA survey in which one in three men’s basketball players reported betting-related abuse.
State lawmakers and regulators in the United States are increasingly focusing on player proposition bets and on misconduct by bettors, as the NCAA warns that harassment of college athletes linked to sports betting has become an urgent problem. Fifteen states have banned college prop betting, according to the report, and some states are passing legislation aimed at bettors who harass athletes.
The Major League Baseball Players Association proposed banning bets on individual players in talks with Major League Baseball, reportedly citing harassment of players by gamblers. The proposal would cover pre-game and in-game wagers, daily fantasy operators and prediction markets. MLB said it would respond during negotiations.
The MLB Players Association proposed banning bets on individual players’ performances during its collective bargaining talks with Major League Baseball, reportedly. The proposal would cover pre-match and in-play wagers, as well as daily fantasy contests and prediction-market contracts; an MLB spokesperson said the league would respond during negotiations.
The NBA is considering tighter controls on player prop bets and more frequent injury report updates amid concerns about suspicious betting activity. Proposed measures include wager limits, fewer eligible players and removing bets decided by a single play; injury reports would be updated every 15 minutes on game days.