Nothing But Bars: NBA Gambling Arrests Spark Demand for Reforms

The FBI has recently arrested two high-profile NBA personalities, Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups, for illegal gambling. These arrests prompted Congress lawmakers on both sides to restart discussions on gambling reforms, such as nationwide player prop bans. Read our article to learn more about the incident and the planned reforms.

The FBI’s Arrests

In October, the FBI arrested several people affiliated with the NBA for illegal gambling. Terry Rozier has been under investigation since 2023 for suspicious activity relating to his performance in games and is accused of rigging them.

Meanwhile, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups, was allegedly involved in illegal poker games with the mafia, prompting the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to send a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“These allegations raise serious concerns about sports betting and the integrity of the sport in the NBA, which harms fans and legal sports bettors.”

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Former player Damon Jones has also been accused of rigging NBA games by allegedly disclosing information about players, including LeBron James. These allegations are similar to the incident that led to the creation of the Jontay Porter rule. With 31 defendants across 11 states indicted by Brooklyn federal prosecutors in relation to these schemes, the government is discussing stricter measures.

Nationwide Prop Bans

One of the suggestions made by lawmakers, such as Senator Dick Durbin, is a nationwide ban on props. These markets tempt players and coaches to change their performance so they can profit from rigged games. For this reason, many states, such as Ohio, have banned college prop bets.

“The temptation for athletes, seasoned coaches, and professional officials to adjust performances is real.”

Senator Dick Durbin

While a prop ban for professional basketball sounds appealing, there are concerns that it might not be effective. Some people opposed to the prohibition believe this would push players to offshore markets. Legal operators also work with compliance teams to report suspicious activity, which could become harder if the props are banned.

Offshore Crackdowns and SAFE Bet Act

Many lawmakers, like Senators Richard Blumenthal and Katie Britt, are also urging the Department of Justice to help block illegal offshore sites. They believe these sites are part of the reason young people become addicted to gambling, and many states continue to issue cease-and-desist orders to any illicit operators. That’s why they recently sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, signed by eleven other sponsors, like:

• Marsha Blackburn
• Cory Booker
• John Cornyn
• Chuck Grassley
• Josh Hawley
• Mazie Hirono
• Amy Klobuchar
• Mike Lee
• Thom Tillis
• Peter Welch

Blumenthal is also working with Representative Paul Tonko to promote the SAFE Bet Act. One of the act’s provisions aims to regulate advertising by prohibiting phrases like “no sweat”, which was an alternative to the NBA’s advertising regulations. Other provisions include banning the use of AI to track player habits and limiting deposits to a maximum of five per player within 24 hours.

Conclusion

The recent arrests have prompted the government to crack down harder on illegal operators after this scandal. Many problem gambling experts are hopeful this will lead to better funding for responsible gambling organizations. However, the SAFE Bet Act has been criticized since its reintroduction in March, so it’s uncertain if it will progress far.