The NBA has directed its authorised sportsbook partners to remove several bet types that the league says are vulnerable to manipulation, including under bets on players averaging fewer than 12 minutes a game and props on first basket and opening tipoff winners. The restrictions were set out in a memo sent on 16 October 2026 and are effective immediately. The action follows federal wagering investigations involving NBA players, and league officials said they are trying to eliminate problematic markets without driving bettors to unlicensed operators.
Newly prohibited wagers
According to a memo obtained by USA TODAY Sports, sportsbooks are no longer permitted to offer:
- same-player parlays made up of multiple under bets
- under wagers on players who average fewer than 12 minutes per game
- first basket and opening tipoff winner markets
- wagers on a player missing any specific shot
ESPN reported that operators must also stop offering lines with larger payouts on under bets. The league sent the guidance to partners including FanDuel and DraftKings, along with other authorised sportsbooks.
Earlier limits remain in place
The NBA said the new prohibitions are in addition to restrictions from previous seasons. Those earlier limits already covered markets on players signed to 10-day or two-way contracts, turnover props, player and team fouls, and missed free throws.
Investigations behind the policy
The league said it worked with sportsbooks after reviewing markets tied to recent cases. In the federal case against Jontay Porter, prosecutors said a bettor placed $80,000 on under results across six statistical categories for Porter in a 2023-24 Toronto Raptors game, seeking a $1.1 million payout. Porter admitted he left the game early to help bettors. Prosecutors have alleged Terry Rozier was involved in similar activity while with Charlotte in 2023; Rozier has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The NBA separately gave Porter a lifetime ban after finding he manipulated his performance.
League and operator response
An NBA spokesperson said on 16 October 2026: "Protecting the integrity of our games remains the NBA's top priority." The league said it is strengthening education and monitoring, expanding limits on markets more open to manipulation, and improving harassment safeguards. NBA executive vice president Scott Kaufman-Ross told ESPN there is "a balance between ensuring that we are removing problematic bet types but also ensuring that we don't just move activity into the illegal market." He said the league believes the current plans strike the right balance.
DraftKings said in a statement that the NBA's guidance formalises many restrictions the company already applies, and it supports the league's integrity work. FanDuel said it is committed to a legal and regulated market that roots out abuses. The NBA's agreements with gaming partners allow the league to restrict the types of wagers and markets offered.
Training, AI monitoring and harassment safeguards
A second memo to all 30 NBA teams outlined further integrity measures. Former NFL player and retired FBI agent Charles Tillman will lead in-person training on sports gambling rules for each team. The league also said it has introduced an AI monitoring tool that analyses injury reports and player availability and performance data to flag anything unusual. The memo described stronger protections for players, coaches and other personnel against threats or harassment from bettors.
