NBA Tightens Betting Rules to Curb Manipulation, Abuse Ahead of 2026-27 Season

27 October 2026

The NBA announced sweeping new restrictions on betting markets ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 regular season, in a move to protect the integrity of the game and reduce risks of abuse and manipulation.

Beginning with the 2026-27 season, the NBA and its sportsbook partners, including FanDuel and DraftKings, agreed to bar wagers on odds related to a single-event player action. These restrictions will also apply to the 2027 WNBA season, per a league statement. The league said the changes, described as an "enhanced sports betting integrity program," are "a result of extensive conversations between NBA and WNBA partner leagues, state regulators, sports betting operators and other key stakeholders." The new restrictions will ban certain types of player-related bets, including those on scoring the first basket, missing the first shot, or other single-event player outcomes.

Bets on players expected to log fewer than 15 minutes per game on average will also be restricted. In addition, the NBA will prohibit so-called "low likelihood, high-payout" bets, such as parlays consisting of multiple "under" wagers on the same player.

The league will also block wagers on the opening tip and missed shot outcomes, ESPN reported. In mid-October, the league said partners will prevent certain types of wagers, including offering odds on whether an NBA team scores the first basket of each game. These restrictions are designed to mitigate the potential for match-fixing and other forms of manipulation, the NBA said.

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The restrictions are in response to a rise in gambling-related controversies and integrity concerns in recent years. Notable cases have involved players such as Jontay Porter, according to CNBC. The league has called for a national framework for sports betting regulation and said it wants greater access to wagering data and more control over the markets offered on NBA games.

In addition to the new betting restrictions, the NBA will launch an in-house AI platform to analyze wagering activity using a range of inputs, including injuries, lineup changes, and social media. The system is intended to help identify suspicious betting activity. The NBA has also updated its Fan Code of Conduct to explicitly ban betting-related harassment, and launched a text-message-based hotline for anonymously reporting threats or irregularities.

To bring players, coaches, and staff up to speed on the new rules, the NBA will conduct required, in-person training on the league's betting regulations. Team personnel will meet for live training sessions ahead of this year’s games. Starting in the 2027-28 season, rookies will also be educated on sports betting policy during the NBA Combine and the required Rookie Transition Program.