NBA, Players Association Call for Limitations on Player Prop Bets

^{The NBA and its players union are united in calling for prop betting restrictions to protect players and the game. (Photo: RSBPhoto1 / Alamy)}

In the wake of a series of gambling-related integrity investigations, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) are calling for more restrictions on player prop bets, though they are not asking for an outright ban on the wagers.

While the league and its player union didn’t make any specific recommendations, both released statements arguing that clamping down on the practice would protect both game integrity and the players themselves.

NBA Asked for Prop Bet Limits After Porter Ban

NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a lifetime ban to former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter after Porter was found to have purposely removed himself early from games in order to help bettors hit Under bets on his statistics. Porter pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges in July 2024 in relation to those instances. 

That’s not the only potential integrity issue facing the NBA. Players Terry Rozier and Malik Beasley have also been under investigation as part of a federal gambling inquiry, though neither has been accused of wrongdoing.

The NBA reacted to the Porter scandal by asking regulated partner sportsbooks to remove Under prop bets on players under two-way contracts, the lowest paid players in the league. Now, the league wants oddsmakers to consider further limiting such bets.

“Protecting the integrity of our game is paramount, and we believe reasonable limitations on certain prop bets should be given due consideration,” an NBA spokesperson told ESPN 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.”

Microbetting, Prop Bets Targeted by Politicians

The NBPA issued a similar statement to ESPN, though their major concern appeared to be the safety of its players.

“[Players] are concerned that prop bets have become an increasingly alarming source of player harassment, both online and in person,” the statement read. “If tighter regulations can help minimize that abuse, then we support taking a closer look at them.”

The NBA isn’t alone in its concern over prop bets. Several states have already outlawed offering individual player prop bets on college sports. Major League Baseball is grappling with issues concerning microbets – wagers on small events like single pitches in baseball or individual points in tennis – after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase were placed on leave as part of an investigation into suspicious betting on two individual pitches thrown in June.

The Guardians investigation has prompted multiple lawmakers to call for crackdowns on various types of sports bets. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on the Ohio Casino Control Commission to ban individual player prop bets in the state, while New Jersey Assemblyman Dan Hutchison (D-Camden) has introduced a bill that would eliminate microbetting in his state.