NBA Worries About Prediction Markets Leading to Game Manipulation
Mike Goodpaster Published 21/10/2026
NBA commissioner Adam Silver is worried about prediction markets leading to game manipulation. He is asking to see data from these sites to determine whether they are potentially impacting the outcome of games. Silver indicated that he believes these prediction market sites raise the same integrity concerns as sports betting for professional leagues like the NBA.
The NBA is joining the NFL in asking that there be oversight access for pro sports leagues to prediction market data on sports-event contracts. It's another indication that people in industries being affected by prediction markets also believe these sites pose a threat to the integrity of their business.
The NBA believes that access to prediction market data can help spot insider trading
During an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver offered the opinion that if the league were to have access to prediction market data, it could make it easier for NBA officials to identify instances of insider trading.
"Whether it’s called a prediction market, whether it’s sports betting, it’s the same issues for our league, and I think for all the leagues, there’s issues around integrity first and foremost,” Silver told CNBC’s Contessa Brewer. “We want access to that data.
"We also want control of the market.”
Silver's NBA took another step to restrict the scope of prediction markets. The league is refusing to run advertising for any prediction market site during NBA games. It's a similar policy to the one that's been adopted by the NFL. That league is also opting to keep prediction markets at arm's length.
By contrast, the NHL and MLB and the member teams of those leagues are embracing prediction markets. Ads for prediction market sites have been very prevalent on broadcasts during the MLB postseason.
The NBA has moved to prohibit certain bets being offered by partner sportsbooks
As its regular season got underway this week, the NBA was clamping down on the types of player prop bets and parlay cards that could be offered by any of its partner sportsbooks.
The bets the NBA is prohibiting include many player prop wagers that history shows can be easily manipulated to bettors' advantage. The NBA is directing authorized gambling operators to eliminate prop bets on the winner of the opening tip, players missing specific shots, and any under bets on the stats of players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes in a game.
There will also be a prohibition on bettors including any under plays from the same player's statistics in a parlay card. The NBA issued a directive to all teams outlining these new measures.
However, without partnership agreements with any prediction market site, the NBA is unable to exercise the same level of authority over sports-event contracts. That could lead to prediction market sites offering event contracts on the very bets Silver is trying to prohibit.
Basketball and football leaders don't see eye-to-eye on this issue
Silver agrees with the NFL that the uniform minimum age to place a bet should be 21. The two leagues are in lockstep in wanting more stringent control over prediction markets. Where the NFL and NBA diverge is in how that control should be implemented.
Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, thinks sports-event contracts should be state-regulated like sports betting. The league even wrote an amicus brief presenting that argument to the Supreme Court.
Silver, however, thinks there's merit in federal regulation of prediction markets.
“Frankly, from at least the NBA standpoint, we have roughly 40 different jurisdictions regulating us right now," Silver said. "So to have a consistent policy nationally, I think would be in our best interest.”