In a bid to protect the integrity of the game and combat athlete exploitation by gamblers, the NBA and its players' association are advocating for stricter regulations on certain types of prop bets. Following former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter's ban for manipulating his performance in games for gambling purposes, the league is taking proactive measures to prevent similar incidents. Porter, along with NBA players Terry Rozier and Malik Beasley, has been part of a federal gambling inquiry, prompting discussions around limiting prop bets to safeguard players and reduce the risk of manipulation.
The National Basketball Players Association, while considering the Porter case an outlier, acknowledges the potential for player harassment stemming from prop bets and supports the notion of tighter regulations. Ohio and New Jersey have already taken steps to prohibit specific prop bets, with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine pushing for a ban on microbets following suspicious betting activities in baseball. With concerns over the integrity of sports and the well-being of athletes at stake, the conversation around gambling restrictions in professional sports is gaining momentum, aiming to strike a balance between fan engagement and safeguarding athletes from harmful influences.