NBA and NBPA Push for Stricter Rules on Prop Bets

Growing Concerns Around Prop Bets

Proposition bets, which allow wagers on specific in-game actions by individual players, have been at the center of several recent controversies. Over the past two seasons, Malik Beasley, Jontay Porter, and Terry Rozier have all faced federal investigations related to sports betting. Porter, who was on a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, received a lifetime ban from the NBA in April 2024. These cases have underscored the risks that prop bets pose to competitive integrity.

In response to Porter’s case, the NBA asked its sportsbook partners to remove wagers on players with two-way contracts. The league argued that such players could be particularly vulnerable to manipulation due to their contractual status. With support now coming from the NBPA, there is increasing pressure to expand these restrictions to reduce the potential for future incidents.

Player Harassment Linked to Gambling

Beyond game integrity, the NBPA has highlighted the growing issue of harassment tied to betting markets. Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter’s older brother, has spoken about how players can be targeted by gamblers and even pressured into manipulating outcomes. The players’ union stressed that prop bets have become a trigger for online abuse and even threats, with several athletes reporting escalating hostility from fans connected to gambling losses.

The NBA’s experience mirrors challenges in other sports. Tennis players such as Elina Svitolina have reported abusive messages after tournament losses, while NCAA president Charlie Baker has called for a full ban on prop bets in college sports. These developments suggest that pressure is mounting across different leagues to rethink how player-specific wagers are regulated.