The NBA has informed its teams that it is evaluating a series of changes aimed at tightening injury reporting procedures, limiting certain types of gambling, and addressing competitive integrity concerns, according to a memo distributed leaguewide on Friday. The document reflects a broader response to recent federal gambling indictments involving a current player, a head coach, and a former player, as well as concerns about the circulation of nonpublic information tied to betting markets.

League officials said the review focuses on reducing the value of confidential information and strengthening oversight of wagering connected to NBA games. Before outlining possible adjustments, the league sought feedback from teams and discussed proposals with the board of governors, ultimately identifying six areas for potential action.

Revised Injury Reporting Standards Under Consideration

One of the central changes involves how teams report player availability. Under the proposed framework, clubs would need to submit injury reports on game days between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time, followed by updates to the public report on NBA.com every 15 minutes instead of once per hour. The memo did not specify when these changes would formally begin.

The league framed the adjustments as part of an effort to limit the spread of inside information. As stated in the memo, the goal is to “further promote transparency regarding players’ game participation status, and thereby diminish the value of confidential information that could be ‘tipped’ ” to bettors or others.

Reporting expectations differ slightly for back-to-back games. According to guidance shared by NBA insider Brett Seigel with ESPN, “Day of game, teams must submit injury report between 11 am and 1 pm (local) that reflects each player’s current participation status.” He added, “For back-to-backs, teams must submit by 1 pm (local) on the day of the game. All injury status for a player must be properly added to the league’s injury portal.”

Gambling Scrutiny and Limits on Player Prop Bets

The memo also detailed the NBA’s position on gambling, particularly wagers tied to individual player statistics. League officials plan to seek tighter restrictions from sportsbooks, including caps on how much can be wagered on prop bets, limits on “under” wagers, and reductions in the number of players available for such betting options. The league also wants certain wagers removed altogether, especially those that can be decided by a single play.

As the memo explained, “Core to the NBA’s position is that sports leagues should have control over the types of bets offered on their games.” It continued, “Because leagues currently do not have such control, any changes will need to be pursued via negotiation with sports betting operators, requests to state gaming regulators, legislative action, or some combination of these avenues.”

Seigel summarized the league’s stance by saying: “The NBA is also attempting to limit gambling companies from having certain prop bets for individual players, including the max amount that can be bet, limitations on population of players, and other limitation including eliminating certain bet types in full.”

FanDuel and DraftKings currently serve as official NBA gaming partners, alongside roughly 10 other betting operators that maintain league relationships.

Federal Cases, Tanking Review, and Added Safeguards

The policy review gained urgency following October arrests tied to federal gambling investigations. Authorities charged veteran guard Terry Rozier, former player Damon Jones, and others with providing bettors with nonpublic injury information. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was charged in a related poker case, and prosecutors allege that a coconspirator matching his career details shared confidential information about team plans, including tanking, ahead of a March 2023 game against the Chicago Bulls.

Rozier also faces accusations that he informed associates he would exit a game early during the 2023 season, prompting successful “under” bets tied to his performance.

The league continues to evaluate rule changes related to tanking, including possible revisions to draft pick protections and the lottery system. As the memo stated, “This review remains ongoing and we will continue to solicit input from relevant team stakeholders as this work proceeds.”

Beyond betting and injury reporting, the NBA plans expanded education on gambling rules, additional protections for players and staff facing harassment from bettors, and improved tools to investigate unusual wagering patterns. The league said it will update its Fan Code of Conduct and push for stronger legal protections against threats directed at players and coaches.