NBA restricts selected player-performance bets ahead of 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.

The measures cover player prop bets on individual statistics. Bookmakers may no longer combine several "under" predictions on the same player in one multiple, betting that the player will fall short of set thresholds for points, rebounds or assists. "Under" bets are also removed for players expected to be on court for fewer than 12 minutes, along with bets on particularly low alternative statistical thresholds that carry high payouts.

Markets on the first events of a game are also affected, including the winner of the opening tip-off, the first basket, the first three-point shot and other specific individual actions. Bets on the failure to complete certain shots are stopped as well. The new rules add to existing limits on bets concerning players on short-term contracts, fouls, turnovers and missed free throws.

The league said the decision followed federal investigations involving several players in the US professional championship. The source also cites the cases of Jontay Porter, the former Toronto Raptors player banned for life by the NBA in 2024 after admitting involvement in a fraudulent betting scheme, and Terry Rozier, who has denied the accusations against him and pleaded not guilty.

Scott Kaufman-Ross, the NBA's executive vice-president, said the league had sought a balance between removing the most problematic bet types and the risk of pushing part of the activity to the illegal market. The measures cover operators with commercial agreements with the NBA, including DraftKings and FanDuel, which the league estimates account for more than 99% of the regulated US sports betting market.

The restrictions will be extended to the WNBA from next season. The NBA will also strengthen monitoring of suspicious bets, including with artificial intelligence tools, and introduce mandatory in-person training sessions for players, coaches and team staff. Further measures are planned against harassment of athletes by bettors, with dedicated channels for reporting abuse.

The question of prediction markets remains open: the restrictions agreed with the league's partner bookmakers do not automatically apply to them, in the absence of similar commercial agreements.