NBA, Gambling Sportsbooks Agree to Limit Bets

The NBA and major sportsbooks have agreed to eliminate specific wagers that can be easily manipulated by players or outside parties, according to a report from Shams Charania and David Purdum of ESPN. The new restrictions prohibit parlay bets targeting the under on a single player's statistics, "first of" outcome markets such as the opening tip, and under bets on individuals who are projected to play fewer than 12 minutes per game.

The regulatory changes stem directly from federal indictments involving former and active NBA personnel, including Jontay Porter and Terry Rozier. Porter previously admitted to leaving games early during the 2023-24 season to benefit bettors who wagered heavily on his unders. Federal prosecutors alleged similar betting activity occurred in a 2023 game involving Rozier, who has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.