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PORTLAND, OR, December 15, 2023 – The NBA is cracking down on sports betting and internal practices, responding to a growing wave of concerns about integrity and competitive fairness. New league policies, announced Friday, aim to curb possibly damaging prop bets and address the controversial practice of “tanking,” where teams strategically lose games to improve thier draft position.
New Injury Reporting Rules Take Effect Immediately
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Teams must now provide real-time injury updates to the league and the public.
- Teams will be required to resubmit injury listings on game day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time.
- Public injury reports must be updated every 15 minutes.
- The league is pushing gambling companies to limit certain types of prop bets.
- A review of policies regarding “tanking” is underway,potentially leading to changes in draft lottery rules.
The NBA’s swift action comes amid a federal investigation into alleged illegal sports betting involving several players and an organized crime ring. The league is prioritizing openness and aiming to safeguard the integrity of the game, especially as sports wagering becomes increasingly prevalent.
Prop Bets Under Scrutiny
The league is specifically targeting prop bets-wagers on individual player performance-with proposed changes that include limiting the maximum bet amount, placing restrictions on “unders” (bets that a player will score or achieve less than a certain number), and reducing the number of players available for such bets. The NBA also intends to eliminate bet types centered around single plays.
What are the biggest concerns surrounding prop bets? Prop bets,due to their granular nature,are seen as notably vulnerable to manipulation through inside facts,as evidenced by the recent investigation.
Trail Blazers Implicated in Betting Scandal
The Portland Trail Blazers are at the center of the unfolding scandal. Suspended head coach Chauncey Billups-who was arrested in late October for his alleged role in poker games run and rigged by organized crime figures-was reportedly an alleged source of non-public information regarding player injury status before a 2023 Trail Blazers game. This information was allegedly used by gamblers to gain an unfair advantage.
Billups, along with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach damon Jones, were among over 30 individuals arrested in late October as part of the FBI’s investigation into the extensive sports betting indictment.
Addressing the Practice of ‘Tanking’
Beyond betting concerns, the NBA is also revisiting its policies on “tanking”-the deliberate act of losing games to secure a higher draft pick. The league is considering modifications to draft pick protections and lottery rules to disincentivize this practice. The Trail Blazers have been accused of employing this strategy in recent seasons, particularly between 2021 and 2024, by resting key players late in the season.
The NBA’s response signals a commitment to proactively
