- ESPN reported that several major U.S. sportsbooks will not offer unders for NBA players on 10-day or two-way contracts
- ESPN BET, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, and BetMGM will no long offer these types of props in the upcoming season
- The new rules are in place after the recent NBA sports betting controversy involving ex-Toronto Raptors two-way player Jontay Porter
Several major U.S. sportsbooks will not be offering NBA under prop bets for players on 10-day or two-way contracts for the upcoming season after the fallout of the Jontay Porter sports betting scandal.
ESPN’s David Payne Purdum recently reported the alterations, noting that ESPN BET, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM will no longer be offering under prop bets for these types of athletes for the upcoming NBA season.
The sportsbooks are altering their offerings due to last season’s sports betting controversy involving former two-way Toronto Raptors center Porter, who placed several bets on NBA games last season, several against the Toronto Raptors while on the team roster, and actively removing himself from games so “under” bets placed by individuals he owed money to could win.
Porter Banned From NBA
The sportsbooks hope to curtail any future controversies by doing away with under bets following Porter’s actions last season. The NBA banned Porter for life this past April, after an investigation found the two-way backup forward/center provided a sports bettor with confidential information, limited his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and bet on several NBA games.
Porter was found to have bet against the Raptors in a parlay while he traveled, but did not play, with the team earlier this year.
Most concerning, however, was news that broke in June that Porter faked at least two injuries so he could leave games early. He informed several individuals that he owed large gambling debts to about his plan so they could place several large “under” bets on his performance.
Porter eventually pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He’ll be sentenced on Dec. 18 and could face between three-and-a-half to four years in prison.
Adam Silver Backs Sports Betting
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently spoke to the AP regarding his New York Times op-ed in November 2014 where he pushed for the legalization and regulation of sports betting through the United States.
Silver noted that he does not regret penning the piece, but said the regulations are a “hodgepodge” amongst states and makes it difficult for the leagues to administer rules throughout the country.
Additionally, Silver told the AP that underage betting and problem gaming is still a concern.
“I think that on the downsides of sports betting, they certainly exist, and I think we have to pay a lot of attention to that. I think where we’re hearing it in multiple categories, certainly you see incidents of underaged people betting. We have to pay a lot of attention to that, what’s potentially going on at college campuses, certainly people betting over their heads,” he siad.
In the world of sports betting, NBA prop bets are a popular form of wagering that allow fans to bet on specific outcomes or performances within a game. However, recent controversy surrounding NBA player Jontay Porter has caused sportsbooks to adjust their prop bets in response.
Porter, a promising young player for the Memphis Grizzlies, has been embroiled in controversy after a video surfaced of him allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior off the court. This has led to uncertainty surrounding his future with the team and his ability to perform at a high level on the court.
In response to this controversy, sportsbooks have been forced to adjust their NBA prop bets involving Porter. Many sportsbooks have either removed Porter from their prop bet offerings entirely or have adjusted the odds to reflect the uncertainty surrounding his status with the team.
This adjustment is necessary to ensure that bettors are making informed decisions when placing their wagers. With the uncertainty surrounding Porter’s future, it would be irresponsible for sportsbooks to continue offering prop bets involving him without adjusting the odds to reflect the increased risk.
While it is unfortunate that a promising young player like Porter has found himself in the midst of controversy, it is important for sportsbooks to prioritize the integrity of their betting offerings. By adjusting NBA prop bets in response to the Porter controversy, sportsbooks are taking the necessary steps to protect both themselves and their customers from potential losses.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Jontay Porter has forced sportsbooks to adjust their NBA prop bets to reflect the uncertainty surrounding his future with the Memphis Grizzlies. This adjustment is necessary to ensure that bettors are making informed decisions when placing their wagers and to protect both sportsbooks and their customers from potential losses.
