Silver: NBA’s Gambling Scandals 'Predictable' Due to Regulatory Structure
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that gambling scandals in the league were “predictable” largely because of an inconsistent regulatory environment across U.S. states. He had championed a legal sports-betting framework to replace PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) after it was overturned in 2018, expecting more uniform rules across states. But in practice, states have adopted different approaches, creating jurisdictional gaps that hamper the NBA’s ability to manage gambling risks.
Silver argues that these regulatory inconsistencies sometimes leave the league “operating with one hand tied behind our back.” He is especially concerned about player prop bets, which allow bettors to wager on individual statistics. Such bets are hard to police and provide opportunities for performance manipulation, as was alleged in the case of former Raptors player Jontay Porter. Porter was banned, pled guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, and was accused of coordinating with a network to influence wagers. Another case: the NBA is investigating Terry Rozier in relation to suspicious betting activity in a 2023 game, though Rozier hasn’t been charged. Malik Beasley is also under scrutiny, though cleared by federal investigators so far.
Despite the challenges, Silver continues to support legalization over illegal betting. He argues that regulated markets are more transparent, easier to monitor, and preferable to underground operations. The NBA uses integrity firms to monitor betting activity and works with licensed sportsbooks and state regulators to detect and address suspicious patterns. Still, because laws differ from state to state, the league believes some bets (especially props) should be restricted nationally to reduce risk while preserving bets that fans enjoy.
