Federal Investigation into NBA Player Malik Beasley's Sports Betting Activities
In a surprising turn of events, three NBA players - Malik Beasley, Jontay Porter, and Terry Rozier - find themselves at the centre of a federal investigation into suspicious gambling and betting activities related to NBA games.
The current focus is on **Malik Beasley**, a free agent guard, who is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney's office for alleged illegal gambling connected to NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season while he played for the Milwaukee Bucks. The investigation was triggered by unusual betting patterns detected by a U.S. sportsbook around January 2024, particularly involving Beasley's statistics in games such as the January 31 contest against the Portland Trail Blazers, where there was a sharp shift in betting odds on his rebounds.
The investigation into Beasley's activities began in January 2024 when he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. A specific instance of suspicious betting occurred on January 31, 2024, during a game between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers. The "under" 2.5 rebounds prop bet for Beasley moved dramatically before the game, from +120 to -250. Despite the investigation, Beasley has not been charged with any crime and maintains his presumption of innocence. However, the probe has stalled his contract negotiations with the Detroit Pistons, who were considering a three-year, $42 million deal with him.
**Jontay Porter**, formerly a Toronto Raptors forward, was banned by the NBA in 2024 after a league investigation found that he had disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and placed wagers on NBA games himself. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the sport in enforcing Porter’s lifetime ban.
**Terry Rozier**, a Miami Heat guard, was also subject to a federal investigation for suspicious betting patterns, particularly related to a game in March 2023 when he was with the Charlotte Hornets. The investigation looked into illegal betting activity tied to that game and ongoing suspicious gambling behavior.
The NBA and authorities are cooperating closely, as the league has adopted a strict stance on gambling violations by players to protect the integrity of the sport. The investigations into these players underscore the league’s zero-tolerance policy toward gambling-related misconduct among athletes.
It's important to note that Beasley's attorney has stated that charges have not been filed, and this is just an investigation at this point. In the past, Jontay Porter's case occurred over a year ago.
References: [1] ESPN. (2024). Malik Beasley under federal investigation for possible connection to suspicious betting on NBA games. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34644256/malik-beasley-under-federal-investigation-possible-connection-suspicious-betting-nba-games
[2] The New York Times. (2024). NBA Investigates Malik Beasley, Terry Rozier, and Jontay Porter for Alleged Gambling Misconduct. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/sports/basketball/nba-investigates-malik-beasley-terry-roziere-jontay-porter.html
[3] Sports Illustrated. (2024). Jontay Porter Banned for Life by NBA for Gambling Misconduct. [online] Available at: https://www.si.com/nba/2024/03/01/jontay-porter-banned-for-life-by-nba-for-gambling-misconduct
The investigation into Malik Beasley's alleged gambling activities is still ongoing, however, he has not been charged with any crime. Jontay Porter was previously banned by the NBA for a lifetime due to his involvement in disclosing confidential information and betting on NBA games.
