The legalization of online sports betting in the U.S. has brought in billions in local tax revenue while also leading to a surge in players breaking league rules by placing bets on games, including bets on their own teams and personal performance. Recent incidents include the NBA permanently banning former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter for sharing health information with bettors and betting on basketball games, as well as MLB investigating the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani for a gambling probe involving his former interpreter. The NHL also suspended Ottawa Senator Shane Pinto for violating the league’s gambling rules.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision in 2018 to allow states to legalize online sports betting, there have been numerous scandals involving pro athletes engaging in sports gambling, including NFL players from the Detroit Lions being suspended for a season. The proliferation of these scandals has raised concerns about the integrity of professional sports. Expert opinions vary on how to address the issue, with some suggesting that leagues ban player proposition bets, or player props, which are wagers on a player’s in-game performance. These bets are seen as susceptible to manipulation based on a player’s actions in a game.
The major sports leagues have restrictions on athletes placing bets, with some rules banning players from wagering on any sport while others only prohibit bets on the sports they play. Despite these rules, the leagues have also signed lucrative marketing deals with betting platforms, sending a mixed message to players about their involvement in sports betting. While incidents involving athletes and gambling remain relatively rare, experts predict more controversies as additional states legalize sports betting. The NBA, for example, was able to remove Jontay Porter without major repercussions due to his lack of prominence and the team’s standing, but future incidents may have a greater impact on the league’s integrity.
Overall, the surge in online sports betting has had both positive and negative impacts on the sports industry, with billions in tax revenue generated but also a threat to the integrity of professional sports due to players breaking league rules. The incidents involving players like Jontay Porter, Shohei Ohtani, and Shane Pinto highlight the challenges faced by leagues in maintaining the balance between allowing legal betting and ensuring fair competition. As more states legalize sports betting, experts anticipate additional scandals, raising questions about the effectiveness of current regulations and the role of leagues and players in addressing these issues.
