NBA restricts specific player-performance betting types

The NBA has reached an agreement with authorized sports betting operators, including FanDuel and DraftKings, to restrict specific types of wagers ahead of the new season. The move aims to protect the integrity of the game following recent controversies involving players such as Jontay Porter and Terry Rozier.

The new restrictions target bets that are particularly vulnerable to manipulation, such as those involving individual player statistics. Specifically, the league is prohibiting certain 'under' bets on players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes, as well as wagers on jump ball outcomes and specific missed shots. These measures are intended to prevent athletes from simulating physical issues to influence betting outcomes.

NBA Executive Vice President Scott Kaufman-Ross stated that the league is seeking a balance to eliminate problematic betting types without driving users toward illegal, unregulated markets. The restrictions follow federal investigations into cases where specific statistical performance bets resulted in significant illicit gains.