NBA sportsbook partners bar parlays and other bets vulnerable to manipulation
The league and its betting partners have barred several player and game wagers after reviewing markets linked to earlier gambling scandals, according to reports on October 16.
The NBA and its sportsbook partners barred several types of wagers in the United States on October 16 after reviewing betting markets vulnerable to manipulation, USA TODAY Sports reported, citing two league memos. The restrictions cover certain parlays, player under bets and wagers on specific events within a game; they affect betting markets offered by the league’s gaming partners.
Which NBA bets are barred
The new restrictions include parlays combining under bets on the same player’s statistics. USA TODAY also listed first-basket and opening-tipoff winner bets, along with wagers that a player will miss a specific shot. CBS Sports, attributing its account to ESPN, reported restrictions on opening-tip winners and specific-shot misses as well.
The two accounts describe the playing-time limit differently. USA TODAY said under wagers are barred for players averaging fewer than 12 minutes per game. CBS Sports, citing ESPN, described the restriction as applying to players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes in a particular game. It was not immediately clear how the partners will apply that threshold in practice.
USA TODAY said the measures add to existing restrictions on bets involving players on 10-day or two-way contracts, turnovers, player and team fouls, and missed free throws. The league’s agreements with gaming partners allow it to limit the markets they offer, the outlet reported. The reports establish the league’s direction to its partners, though they do not establish whether every partner has implemented every restriction.
Why the league is restricting these markets
The NBA reviewed markets implicated in earlier gambling scandals before adopting the measures, according to USA TODAY. Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter received a lifetime NBA ban in 2024 after disclosing inside information to bettors and wagering on games, CBS Sports reported. The case illustrates why a bet on a player finishing below a statistical line can pose an integrity risk: the player can influence how much he participates.
DraftKings said the league’s guidance formalizes many restrictions already reflected in its sportsbook practices. In a statement emailed to USA TODAY Sports, a spokesperson said the company supported the NBA’s efforts to maintain game integrity and would continue working with the league on betting limits.
Monitoring and training across NBA teams
A second memo went to all 30 NBA franchises, USA TODAY reported. It described additional monitoring, enhanced training and support for players facing gambling-related harassment. The league also disclosed a tool that analyzes injury reports, player availability and performance data for irregularities, according to the outlet.
Former NFL player and retired FBI agent Charles Tillman will conduct in-person training on the NBA’s sports-gambling rules for each franchise, USA TODAY reported. The outlet said the training initiative takes effect immediately.
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Sources and context
- NBA instructs sportsbook partners to ban certain bets ripe for manipulation, per reportCBS Sports; report attributed to ESPN and Shams Charania
- NBA, sportsbooks enact bans on certain wagers, parlays and under betsUSA TODAY Sports (republished by Yahoo Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.