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The NBA is reviewing its policies to ensure that players understand the significant risks associated with gambling, following a recent betting scandal. According to a memo reportedly sent to teams on Monday and obtained by ESPN, this review comes after the arrest of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland head coach Chauncey Billups by FBI agents as part of a sports betting investigation. Both Rozier and Billups, who have denied any wrongdoing through their lawyers, have been placed on administrative leave by the NBA. The memo indicates that the league is “reviewing league policies regarding injury reporting, the training and education of all NBA personnel, and safety measures for NBA players,” according to the ESPN report. In light of the growing prominence of sports betting, the league emphasized the need to ensure that players, coaches, and other NBA personnel are fully aware of the significant risks that gambling can pose to their careers and livelihoods. The memo also stressed the importance of having appropriate injury disclosure rules and protecting players from harassment by bettors. The review will explore how artificial intelligence and other tools can help detect improper activities. The NBA stated that it is “exploring ways to enhance our existing internal and external integrity monitoring programs to better utilize AI and other tools to synthesize all available data from betting operators, social media, and other sources to identify betting activity of concern.” Rozier was charged in connection with a scheme involving “prop” bets during a March 2023 game when he played for the Charlotte Hornets. An indictment alleges that he informed a friend he would be leaving the game against New Orleans early, and this information was reportedly sold to gamblers. An unusual number of bets were placed on Rozier’s statistical performance being below expected levels, and he left the game after just over nine minutes due to a foot injury. The NBA memo highlighted the need for more action from legal and regulatory authorities regarding “prop” bets. The memo states, “We believe there is more that can be done from a legal/regulatory perspective to protect the integrity of the NBA and our affiliated leagues. In particular, proposition bets on individual player performance involve heightened integrity concerns and require additional scrutiny.” Billups is charged with participating in rigged poker games and using his fame to attract other players to these games, where high-tech cheating methods ensured their losses. (With AFP Inputs)
