The NBA is taking action in response to the recent arrests of Miami guard Terry Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups for their alleged involvement in gambling schemes. The league has initiated a review to safeguard not only the game’s integrity but also the well-being of its players and coaches.
In a memo obtained by The Associated Press and circulated to all 30 teams, the NBA highlighted the need to reassess how sports betting should be regulated, considering the prevalence of legal betting in most U.S. states, recurring integrity issues across sports, and the emergence of new betting formats and markets.
Lawmakers in Washington, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Maria Cantwell, have also stepped in by requesting information from the NBA. They are seeking details on how the league investigated and managed the allegations against Rozier, particularly concerning an incident during a game in March 2023 when he played for the Charlotte Hornets.
The Senate committee emphasized the importance of maintaining the public’s trust in the integrity of NBA games and ensuring they are free from the influence of organized crime or gambling-related activities. They have asked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to provide explanations by a specified deadline.
Following the unsealing of two indictments last week and the arrest of nearly three dozen individuals, including Billups and Rozier, federal officials brought forward charges against Rozier. He is accused of collaborating with associates to manipulate bets based on his performance in a game from 2023. These charges echo those faced by former player Jontay Porter, who was subsequently banned from the league by Commissioner Adam Silver in 2024.
Regarding the 2023 investigation, sportsbooks detected irregular betting patterns related to prop bets involving Rozier, prompting the NBA to conduct a probe. While no conclusive evidence of rule violations by Rozier was found, the league expressed the need for enhanced regulations to protect its integrity, particularly in bets related to individual player performances.
The NBA’s recent actions align with a broader effort to address gambling-related issues in professional sports, as evidenced by similar initiatives in the NFL and MLB. The league is also exploring improvements to injury reporting processes to prevent insider trading practices and ensure the transparency and fairness of sports betting.
In light of these developments, the NBA is actively seeking feedback from teams on potential strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of sports betting and uphold the integrity of the game.
