NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the US should consider federal gambling legislation to address game manipulation and harmful behaviour. He said the NBA had asked some betting partners to restrict prop bets on two-way players, whom he described as more vulnerable to manipulation.
Federal rules or tighter prop-bet limits could affect sports betting operators and their markets.
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Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York charged six people over an alleged betting scheme involving four NBA games during the 2023-24 season. Prosecutors allege the group wagered more than $75,000 and made net winnings exceeding $121,000; Malik Beasley’s lawyer denied the allegations, and the NBA said it was reviewing the indictment.
Federal authorities arrested Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups on 23 October in separate gambling-related investigations, according to the report. The cases involve alleged illegal betting and an illegal poker operation; the report says more than 30 people have been indicted and seven games from 2023 and 2024 are under review.
US lawmakers renewed calls for federal sports betting oversight and a nationwide ban on certain prop bets after FBI arrests linked to an illegal NBA gambling ring. Congress has left major sports betting proposals in committee, while Maryland, Vermont and Connecticut bills to change betting rules did not receive hearings or advance; state regulators have acted on rules including college sports prop bets.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league wants access to prediction market data and control over markets linked to sports. He said the NBA regards integrity risks in these markets as comparable to those in sports betting, while favouring federal regulation and a minimum trading age of 21.
The NBA is seeking prediction market data to help identify possible insider trading and safeguard its games, commissioner Adam Silver said. He also sought control of the market and questioned trading on outcomes such as a coach’s dismissal.
The NBA has urged the CFTC to introduce rules for US prediction markets, in a letter submitted during the agency’s consultation. Its proposals include identity checks, information-sharing on suspicious activity, restrictions for team personnel, limits on sensitive markets and a minimum participation age of 21.