The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) is taking a hard look at game-specific player prop markets and is asking for help following recent gambling scandals.
Key Takeaways
- New York’s sports betting regulators reached out to the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS.
- The gaming commission said it would waive the 60-day time frame to make changes to prop markets.
- The letter was sent in response to the NBA and MLB gambling scandals.
Regulators sent a letter to five professional leagues - the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and MLS - on Wednesday, requesting feedback on how to protect sports betting in the Empire State.
The gaming commission wants league representatives to speak up on betting markets that could be restricted, excluded, or limited to “improve wagering.” The NYSGC said it could waive the 60-day regulatory timeframe if a league requests prop market changes.
“The leagues that oversee the day-to-day activities of their players serve an important role in preserving the integrity of the sport and wagers. You have the ability to provide substantial input regarding the wagering menu,” the NYSGC told league representatives in the letter.
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Scandal concerns
The NYSGC said it is going to “re-examine all individual player proposition wagers that are game specific, as well as single-game specific multi-leg individual player parlays.” The regulatory body also threatened to prohibit certain markets it deems affect integrity.
The gaming commission is responding to betting schemes allegedly involving NBA and MLB players on their respective props. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was arrested and federally charged in October for manipulating a 2023 game performance to allegedly help him and a bettor commit fraud against a sportsbook. Rozier is fighting those charges.
Ex-Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter was involved in a game-manipulation scheme with a group of sports bettors in 2024. Porter is awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge.
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz allegedly helped two Dominican Republic bettors cash in on first-pitch props last season, leading to federal charges for both players. Clase and Ortiz face trial in May.
MLB responded by having sportsbooks pull all pitch-level markets, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver was able to have sportsbooks stop offering markets for two-way players, like Porter. Silver has also been vocal about doing more to curb prop bets that can be manipulated.
“Thankfully, the strong regulatory measures established by regulators to protect the betting public appear to have worked: the schemes were uncovered and the individuals allegedly responsible are being held accountable for their actions,” the NYSGC said.
Protecting sports
The NYSGC noted many markets that leagues “found problematic" were already prohibited by Empire State law.
“Finally, from an enforcement and investigatory perspective, it’s important to note that establishing a legal mobile sports wagering account requires an individual to disclose associated records and data to the wagering provider,” the gaming commission wrote. “These breadcrumbs may be readily found by integrity monitors, regulators, law enforcement and others.
“New York State stands ready to further discuss the matter and assist in any way to ensure wager and game integrity. Thank you for your ongoing efforts to promote and protect your respective sports, and thereby, the sports betting public.”
