The NBA is tightening restrictions on player props and parlays following a series of gambling scandals, though the changes could prove harder to enforce across the growing prediction market industry.
NBA betting partners, including DraftKings and FanDuel, to stop offering parlays combining multiple unders on the same player’s statistics, bets on opening tips and certain individual plays, and unders on players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes, according to a memo distributed Friday.
The restrictions also prohibit alternate under lines offering larger payouts. They build on existing NBA rules barring certain bets involving players on short-term contracts, turnovers, fouls and missed free throws.
NBA targets bets linked to scandals
The restrictions follow federal gambling cases involving Jontay Porter and Terry Rozier, in which bettors allegedly used advance knowledge of players’ limited playing time to wager on their statistical unders.
Porter admitted to deliberately limiting his playing time to benefit bettors. Prosecutors said one gambler placed an $80,000 parlay on six of his statistical unders in March 2024, with a potential payout of approximately $1.1 million. Prosecutors allege a similar scheme involving Rozier, who left a March 2023 game after roughly nine minutes. Rozier has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
DraftKings said several of the restrictions were already reflected in its sportsbook practices. FanDuel also supported the changes, citing its collaboration with leagues and state regulators on game integrity.
The NBA can restrict betting markets through its sportsbook agreements, which the league estimates cover more than 99% of the U.S. sports betting market. Those agreements do not extend to prediction market operators offering sports contracts under federal commodities oversight.
NBA betting integrity efforts ramp up
In a separate memo to teams Friday, the league outlined additional integrity measures. Former NFL player and retired FBI agent Charles Tillman will lead in-person training on betting rules, while the NBA is enhancing its AI-based monitoring system to detect suspicious wagering activity.
The league is also updating its fan code of conduct to address gambling-related harassment, introducing a text-message reporting hotline and partnering with Social Protect to help players identify and remove abusive social media messages.
The measures follow the NBA and WNBA’s announcement Wednesday of a new responsible gaming campaign with the National Council on Problem Gambling. The campaign will warn fans, particularly young adults, about the risks of both traditional sports betting and prediction markets.
Prediction markets complicate NBA betting
The NBA has yet to announce a prediction market partnership, though industry sources expect at least one agreement during the 2026-27 season. Such a deal could give the league greater influence over a participating exchange’s offerings.
Several NBA stars have prediction market partnerships, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and OG Anunoby. Kalshi sponsors Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks. At least five NBA teams also have deals with companies offering prediction markets, though none promote the products directly.
The NHL became the first major U.S. sports league to partner with Kalshi and Polymarket in 2025. MLB followed in March with an exclusive Polymarket deal and a separate agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. MLS and UFC have also signed partnerships.
The NFL, which has no official prediction market partnership, has raised concerns about enforcement. In an Oct. 8 Supreme Court filing, the league said Kalshi and the CFTC have resisted requests for safeguards comparable to those required of licensed sportsbooks, including restrictions on contracts involving missed field goals and potentially manipulated individual plays.
