The NBA is reviewing the sports betting landscape and exploring ways to better protect itself, its players, and fans following the arrest of a player and a coach in connection with an illegal gambling investigation.
"With the expansion of legal betting across most U.S. states, renewed concerns about sports integrity, and the rise of new betting formats and markets, this is an opportune time to objectively examine how sports betting should be regulated—and how sports leagues can better protect themselves, their players, and their fans," the league said in a statement.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones are among more than 30 individuals indicted last week in connection with two separate but related federal gambling investigations. Prosecutors allege that Rozier and Jones provided nonpublic information about games to enable their criminal associates to place bets on game outcomes or player performance through proposition bets.
According to reports, Rozier allegedly conspired with associates to profit from bets tied to his statistical performance in a game he exited early due to a now-disputed injury.
The review will also include an analysis of how artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced tools can help detect improper activity.
"We are exploring ways to strengthen our internal and external integrity monitoring programs by leveraging AI and other technologies to analyze data from gambling operators, social media, and additional sources in order to identify suspicious betting activity," the NBA stated.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Gabriel F. Cordero.