The NBA has introduced new restrictions on certain sports betting markets, following a series of gambling investigations involving both current and former players. The league notified its authorized sportsbook partners, including major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel, about these changes in a memo distributed on Friday.
Details of the Betting Restrictions
The new measures prohibit parlays that combine multiple under bets on the same player's statistics and ban wagers on opening-tip winners, players missing specific shots, and statistical unders involving players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes. These restrictions are intended to address vulnerabilities that recent investigations have exposed, particularly the potential for manipulation when players limit their own participation in games.
Background: High-Profile Gambling Cases
The NBA's decision comes after several high-profile federal gambling investigations. One case involved Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly sharing information about his early departure from a 2023 game. Prosecutors claim this allowed others to place significant bets on his statistical unders. Separately, former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned for life by the NBA in 2024 after admitting to leaving games early to benefit bettors. These incidents, among others, prompted the league to reassess and tighten its betting policies.
Implications for Operators and Affiliates
For sportsbook operators and their affiliate partners, the NBA's new guidance formalizes many restrictions that some, such as DraftKings, had already implemented. The league estimates that its authorized partners represent the vast majority of the U.S. betting market and can enforce these changes through existing commercial agreements. The move is expected to strengthen integrity measures and reduce the risk of manipulation, but may also impact the variety of player prop markets available to bettors. Affiliates and suppliers will need to adjust their offerings and content to comply with the updated rules.
Education and Enforcement Measures
The NBA memo also identified Charles "Peanut" Tillman, a former Chicago Bears defensive back and FBI employee, as the leader for in-person training on the league's sports betting rules. This step highlights the NBA's commitment to ongoing education and enforcement in response to the evolving landscape of sports wagering.
Key takeaways
- The NBA has restricted certain player prop bets and parlays after recent gambling scandals.
- New rules target bets deemed susceptible to manipulation, including statistical unders for players expected to play limited minutes.
- Sporstbook operators and affiliates must adjust offerings to comply with the updated guidance.
- The league is increasing education efforts on betting rules, led by Charles "Peanut" Tillman.
Update (19.10.2026)
In December, Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, following allegations that he shared information about his early exit from a March 2023 game, which led to over $200,000 being wagered on his statistical unders. Rozier was waived by Miami in April 2026. The FBI's gambling probe, which influenced the NBA's new restrictions, resulted in more than 30 arrests in fall 2025 and six formal charges related to the use of non-public player information. In the Jontay Porter case, an $80,000 parlay bet was placed by an associate, but the wager was frozen and not paid out after Porter left the game early. The NBA has since banned under bets on players with two-way contracts, and Executive Vice President Scott Kaufman-Ross confirmed that both the Porter and Rozier cases shaped the latest policy changes. DraftKings also reiterated its commitment to responsible engagement in line with the NBA's standards.
Update (19.10.2026)
It is noteworthy that, although discussions have taken place, the NBA has not finalized any formal agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) concerning oversight of basketball-related event contracts. This creates a regulatory gap: while the NBA can impose restrictions on bets through its licensed sportsbook partners, similar contracts may still be accessible on federally regulated prediction market platforms. The ongoing talks and this divide in regulatory authority have not been previously addressed.