The Houston Rockets deleted an NBA betting prop tweet sent from their official account last week shortly after posting it.
The NBA betting prop tweet polled followers, asking them how many 3-pointers Jalen Green would take in Friday’s game. Texas sports betting is not legal, but daily fantasy sports operators are active in the state.
The Rockets did not respond to multiple requests from LSR as to why the tweet was taken down.
NBA betting integrity issues raised
The NBA Board of Governors projects the league will receive $167 million in revenue from casinos and betting this season, an increase of 11% from last season, per ESPN.
Given its gambling partnerships, maintaining integrity is of the utmost importance to the league.
“As the leagues partner with betting companies, they need to be clear with the organizations on what’s acceptable, so it’s clear to fans that the league’s games are independent from the betting companies,” gaming law expert John Holden told LSR.
“The leagues need to draw clear lines, so that teams know what’s permissible for their employees to tweet and what is not.”
Fans weigh in on deleted tweet
Comments on an Awful Announcing tweet saw some fans questioning the same integrity that the league is trying to protect.
One user summed it up as follows:
DraftKings tagged in tweet
DraftKings Sportsbook was tagged in the tweet and is an official gaming partner of the NBA, along with FanDuel Sportsbook.
In 2021, DraftKings reached an agreement to acquire Golden Nugget Online Gaming in an all-stock transaction. Tilman Fertitta is the owner of both the Rockets and Golden Nugget casinos.
At the same time, DraftKings and the Rockets entered into a partnership for sports betting and daily fantasy sports:
“DraftKings has also reached an agreement regarding a separate commercial deal with Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. across its asset portfolio, including the Houston Rockets, Golden Nugget, LLC and Landry’s LLC. The commercial agreement will include marketing integrations, sponsorship assets with the Houston Rockets, an expanded retail sportsbook presence, and the optionality to obtain market access on favorable terms through certain Golden Nugget casinos.
“DraftKings will also become the exclusive daily fantasy sports, sports betting, and iGaming partner of the Houston Rockets and intends to open a sportsbook at the Toyota Center, pending state legalization and regulatory approvals.”
