NBA and Players Union Support Limits on Prop Betting

The NBA and its players’ union support limits on proposition betting after harassment from disgruntled bettors and players accused of manipulating their stats for financial gain.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association believe the enthusiasm for wagering on player props needs to be curbed. This comes after several instances of player harassment by bettors who lost money on them for failing to meet designated stats offered by mobile sportsbooks.

Moreover, a recent federal probe into performances by Jontay Porter, Terry Rozier, and Malik Beasley has brought into question the ethics of player props and their ability to be manipulated by the athletes. Yet, it should be known that only Porter has been charged, while the others are currently under investigation.

“Protecting the integrity of our game is paramount, and we believe reasonable limitations on certain prop bets should be given due consideration,” said an NBA spokesperson in a statement. “Any approach should aim to reduce the risk of performance manipulation while ensuring that fans who wish to place prop bets can continue to do so via legal, regulated markets.”

Putting limits on prop bets and not supporting an outright ban is the current stance of the league and its players’ union. However, the NBA has asked the sportsbooks with which the league is partnered to eliminate NBA props on players who are on two-way contracts.

“NBA players compete at the highest level with the utmost integrity and are concerned that prop bets have become an increasingly alarming source of player harassment, both online and in person,” an NBPA spokesperson said in a statement. “If tighter regulations can help minimize that abuse, then we support taking a closer look at them.”

The NBA Is Not Alone

In addition to the alleged abuse of players’ props in the NBA, other leagues have experienced similar circumstances. Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were placed on leave after a Major League Baseball investigation into suspicious betting activity pertaining to pitches during two games this past June.

The NCAA has been a vehement proponent of eliminating player props in college sports, citing the harassment and abuse its athletes have taken because of disgruntled gamblers. NCAA president Charlie Baker has called on states to eliminate player props on college sports.

“Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country, with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity and competition, and leading to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed. The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats, and many are responding by banning college prop bets,” Baker said in a statement.

In 2023, the NCAA worked with the Signify Group to use its proprietary technology and AI to “support the Association in studying and responding to online abuse and threats directed at NCAA Championship participants, including student-athletes, coaches, officials, and committee members.”

Several states, like Louisiana, Maryland, and Ohio, abolished college player props last year, and many others are considering doing the same. The NCAA continues to support a nationwide ban on college player props.