NBA enforces stricter gambling rules to protect game integrity

Sudhanshu Ranjan October 21, 2024

The NBA has taken a significant step to protect the integrity of its games by enforcing stricter rules on gambling, particularly focusing on players with two-way and 10-day contracts. These new regulations are designed to prevent potential betting scandals that could compromise the fairness of the league. In partnership with major sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, the NBA has prohibited certain types of bets, especially proposition bets on players in these contract categories.

What are two-way and 10-day contracts?

Two-way contracts allow players to split their time between an NBA team and its G League affiliate. These contracts give younger or less-experienced players the chance to prove themselves at the highest level of professional basketball. 10-day contracts are short-term agreements that give players a brief opportunity to contribute to an NBA team. Players on two-way or 10-day contracts earn significantly less than their peers on full NBA rosters, with some making less than $100,000 per season. While this may seem like a solid income to many, it’s considerably lower than the multi-million-dollar contracts most NBA players enjoy.

These types of bets allow fans to wager on a player underperforming in specific aspects of the game, such as scoring fewer points than a predicted total. FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM have already confirmed their compliance with this new rule, which is seen as a proactive step in protecting both players and the game’s integrity.

FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM have all publicly supported the NBA’s new betting restrictions. An NBA spokesperson said, “We are pleased that these actions have been taken to help protect the integrity of our games.” A spokesperson for FanDuel stated, “We adhere to all policies of our league partners,” highlighting the importance of collaboration between the NBA and sportsbooks to maintain the integrity of the game.

Jontay Porter scandal

The NBA’s crackdown on proposition bets involving lower-paid players is closely linked to a scandal involving Jontay Porter, a two-way player for the Toronto Raptors. On March 20, Porter played just three minutes before pulling himself out of the game due to illness. Behind the scenes, Porter had tipped off a known sports bettor about his condition, leading the bettor to place a substantial wager that Porter would underperform. This bet, which was part of an $80,000 parlay, stood to win $1.1 million if successful. Over the course of three months, Porter made 13 bets, some of which earned him up to $22,000 in winnings. These actions were a clear violation of NBA rules and ultimately led to his expulsion from the league. The Jontay Porter scandal highlighted the need for tighter gambling regulations, particularly concerning players on lower salaries. By closing this betting loophole, the league aims to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

As sports betting continues to evolve, the league will need to remain vigilant and adaptive, updating its policies to address new challenges and ensure that its games remain fair. The NBA is likely to introduce further changes to its gambling regulations in the coming years to keep pace with the ever-growing sports betting industry.