NBA Cracks Down on Player Prop Betting Following Porter, Rozier Scandals

The NBA is instructing its authorized sports betting partners, including DraftKings and FanDuel, to stop offering certain micro-wagers and player prop markets this season due to ongoing integrity concerns, according to reports from ESPN and The Associated Press.

The restrictions include parlays combining multiple under bets on a single player’s statistics, a type of wagering linked to gambling scandals involving NBA players Terry Rozier and Jontay Porter.

NBA Targets Risky Prop Bets

The NBA is also banning “first-of” markets related to the first basket, 3-pointer, rebound, assist, steal, or block, along with wagers on the outcome of the opening tip and whether players will miss specific shots.

Additionally, under bets on players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes in a game are now prohibited.

The Associated Press reported that the league outlined the new restrictions in separate memos sent to sportsbooks and franchises ahead of the season.

Porter Gambling Scandal Sparks Scrutiny

Porter, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, received a permanent lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024. He admitted to deliberately leaving two games early in January and March 2024 while under a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, conspiring with co-defendants so they could win lucrative under bets on his individual performance metrics.

U.S. federal prosecutors noted that one bettor charged in the scheme placed an $80,000 parlay on the under for Porter’s assists, rebounds, points, 3-pointers, steals, and blocks during a March 2024 game, yielding a potential payout of approximately $1.1 million, according to ESPN.

Porter’s sentencing has been postponed several times and is currently scheduled for Dec. 10, 2026. While Porter faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, federal sentencing guidelines suggest a significantly shorter term.

Rozier Faces Gambling Conspiracy Charges

Rozier faces federal criminal charges over allegations that he collaborated with gamblers. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege Rozier conspired with bettors to leave a March 2023 game early while playing for the Charlotte Hornets, allowing co-conspirators to profit from wagers on his statistical unders.

The AP also reported that all players, coaches, and team support staff will be required to attend mandatory, in-person training sessions on the NBA’s sports betting policies beginning this season.

Furthermore, the league informed teams and authorized sportsbooks that it is launching a new artificial intelligence-driven data-monitoring platform designed to detect and investigate anomalous betting activity on NBA games in real time.

Stronger Protections Against Bettor Harassment

On the player protection front, the NBA is upgrading its safeguards following a surge in complaints from players and coaches regarding abuse from frustrated sports bettors.

Players can now opt into specialized software programs that detect, filter, and remove harassment and threats across social media platforms. The NBA is also updating its arena fan code of conduct to explicitly prohibit betting-related harassment.

The new sports betting restrictions will extend to the WNBA beginning in 2027.