NEW YORK, October 26 (Reuters): The arrest of several NBA insiders this week has reignited debate over the risks of professional sports’ growing relationship with legalized betting in the United States.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones were among more than 30 people charged in two related federal gambling investigations.
Rozier and Jones are accused of sharing confidential information about upcoming games to help associates place profitable bets. Billups faces separate charges linked to alleged rigging of high-stakes poker games. His indictment does not reference the insider betting case.
“Chauncey Billups has never and would never gamble on basketball games, provide insider information, or betray the trust of his team and the league,” his attorney said in a statement.
Rozier’s lawyer said the NBA had already cleared his client, accusing prosecutors of reopening a “non-case.” Reuters was unable to reach Jones’s legal representatives.
Integrity under renewed scrutiny
The cases have brought renewed scrutiny to the lucrative partnerships between professional sports leagues and online sportsbooks, which are worth millions of dollars annually. Observers warn that these alliances risk undermining public trust in the fairness of competition.
Veteran sports agent Leigh Steinberg said the situation represents a serious threat to professional sports. “Fans believe these are honest contests without outside influence,” he told Reuters. “If incidents like this continue, it erodes confidence in the legitimacy of the games.”
From resistance to full embrace
After the Supreme Court legalized sports betting in 2018, major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL quickly shifted from opposition to partnership. Betting platforms now sponsor teams and advertise heavily during games, with apps available inside arenas.
The NBA partnered with MGM Resorts in a $25 million deal shortly after legalization. The NFL followed with multibillion-dollar agreements with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Steinberg described this transformation as a “gold rush for new revenue.”
However, several players across major leagues have since been suspended for violating gambling policies. The NBA banned Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter for life after he manipulated his own play to influence bets.
Calls for tighter oversight
Joe Maloney of the American Gaming Association said regulated online betting helps leagues detect misconduct. “Legal platforms allow leagues to monitor and identify suspicious behavior,” he said.
Following several suspensions in 2023, the NFL expanded education programs warning players that mobile apps can track betting activity. No further suspensions have occurred since then.
A former federal prosecutor told Reuters that the latest arrests should prompt a “top-to-bottom” review of compliance systems. “If I were a league executive, I’d be deeply concerned,” he said, adding that the rise of player-specific bets makes manipulation easier.
“A player can fake an injury or underperform without altering the game’s outcome,” he said. “That’s not the same as traditional point-shaving, but it still damages credibility.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league has asked betting partners to limit player-specific wagers for less prominent athletes.
The report was originally published by Reuters.