Sports Leagues Navigate Prop Bets: NBA Sets Precedent for Betting Restrictions
Sixteen months after legal sports gambling opened in the U.S., the NFL asked Congress to ban prop bets, which wager on game-specific events like player stats. Prop bets, such as whether a player gets over or under a set number of rebounds, are seen as high-risk due to single-player influence. Despite NFL testimony in 2019, prop bets remained popular, with the NBA banning a player for influencing bets in 2024. In 2024, the NBA restricted prop bets on low-paid players, citing integrity risks. The NBA's partners, including FanDuel and DraftKings, agreed to remove under bets on 10-day and two-way contracts. Leagues now work with sportsbooks to balance integrity and betting options, avoiding offshore gambling. The U.S. legal sports betting market grew to $16 billion in 2023, with illegal betting at $5 billion. Ohio’s governor urged banning prop bets on single-player events, reflecting broader efforts to address integrity concerns.