The NBA is reportedly set to enhance its monitoring systems for unusual betting activity in the wake of the FBI arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones, sources confirmed. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the league sent a memo to all 30 teams outlining plans to strengthen integrity safeguards and protect players from gambling-related risks.

Background: Rozier and Billups Arrests

Rozier, 31, was arrested for allegedly providing inside information to bettors during a 2023 NBA game, which led to unusual betting activity on his “unders.” He allegedly exited a game early citing an injury, tipping co-conspirators to wager more than $200,000 successfully.

Billups faced charges related to illegal rigged poker games involving organized crime, while Damon Jones was implicated in both separate cases. All three were placed on league leave following the FBI probe.

The arrests have sent ripples across the NBA, prompting league officials to reassess sports betting oversight, particularly around prop bets on individual player performance, which present heightened integrity concerns.

NBA Memo: Protecting Integrity and Players

The memo emphasized that “more can be done” to protect the integrity of the NBA amid the rapid growth of legal sports betting in the U.S. It outlined several initiatives:

• Reviewing injury reporting policies and player safety measures
• Enhancing training and education for all NBA personnel on gambling risks
• Strengthening internal and external monitoring systems, including using AI tools to analyze data from betting operators, social media, and other sources to flag unusual activity

The memo stated:
“Given the spread of legal betting to the majority of U.S. states, the recurrence of integrity issues across sports, and the emergence of novel betting formats, this is an opportune time to reassess how sports betting should be regulated and how leagues can best protect themselves, their players, and their fans.”

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown had recently urged the league to ensure that players are adequately protected in an era of legal sports gambling, noting there had been “little to no conversation” on this issue. The NBA memo appears to directly address those concerns.

Looking Ahead

The NBA’s renewed focus on monitoring betting activity could influence how sportsbooks offer NBA prop bets, with stricter scrutiny potentially limiting certain wagers. League officials continue to investigate and develop systems designed to safeguard players, coaches, and the integrity of the game.