Key Moments:
- 79.1 percent of surveyed US sports bettors say their trust in the NBA’s fairness has been damaged by the current gambling scandal
- 35.7 percent of bettors report they are less likely to wager on NBA games, while 45.1 percent plan to redirect bets to other leagues, mainly the NFL
- 84 percent of respondents express support for stricter regulation and oversight in sports betting activities
Confidence in NBA Integrity Collapses
A nationwide survey conducted between November 3 and 5 by Sacred Heart University reveals a marked decline in gamblers’ trust in the National Basketball Association’s competitive integrity. The poll, which included 500 active US sports bettors, finds that 80.7 percent are aware of ongoing NBA gambling investigations, and 79.1 percent report that the scandal has harmed their confidence in game fairness. Among these, nearly 38.2 percent describe the impact as “a lot.”
Gamblers Shift from NBA to NFL and Other Leagues
The study uncovers significant shifts in betting patterns due to the scandal. Among respondents, 35.7 percent are now less inclined to wager on NBA matchups. In contrast, only 29 percent have become more likely to bet on the league, while 34.6 percent indicate no change. Of those moving away from NBA bets, 45.1 percent are reallocating their wagers to other prominent US sports leagues, with the NFL being the preferred choice for 81 percent of that subgroup. Additionally, 27.7 percent state their intention to reduce their overall sports betting activity, signaling an erosion of trust across multiple sports.
Younger bettors aged 18–34 have shown growing interest in college sports, with 19.7 percent indicating plans to move some of their wagers to NCAA events.
| Bettor Response | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less likely to bet on NBA | 35.7% |
| Redirecting to other U.S. leagues | 45.1% |
| NFL as new target (of above) | 81% |
| Reducing sports betting overall | 27.7% |
| 18–34-year-olds moving to NCAA | 19.7% |
Demand for Accountability and Tighter Regulations
Survey respondents voice strong opinions regarding responsibility for gambling violations. Nearly half (46.8 percent) believe that players and coaches should bear the greatest responsibility, compared to 20 percent who hold leagues accountable and 13.4 percent who assign primary blame to sportsbooks. Support for stricter oversight is widespread, with 84 percent in favor of enhanced regulation, including 44.4 percent who “strongly support” tighter controls on misconduct related to betting.
Among those aged over 55, this sentiment is even more pronounced, with about 60.2 percent believing that individual coaches and players should face the strictest consequences.
Concerns Spread Across All Sports
Skepticism is not limited to professional basketball. According to the poll, 75.1 percent of US sports gamblers think gambling corruption extends to other sports. Furthermore, 75.6 percent express doubts about the integrity of college games due to recent NCAA-linked betting violations and delayed changes to rules on athlete wagering.
Advertising-driven concerns have also emerged, with 68.3 percent of bettors worried that current marketing campaigns encourage risky or unethical gambling behaviors. These worries are most acute among older and college-educated bettors, as well as men, all of whom voiced increased distrust throughout the survey.
Expanding NBA Investigation and Continued Distrust
Ongoing federal investigations, media reports of broadened NBA inquiries, and high-profile criminal cases continue to deepen skepticism among the betting community. The researchers note the findings demonstrate “broad scepticism” regarding the effectiveness of current safeguards, a sentiment that is reshaping public perception and betting habits.
The NBA has widened its probe into potential illegal gambling activities, collecting documentation, mobile phones, and digital records from individuals across several teams, reports indicate. This follows the previous month’s federal indictments involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former player and coach Damon Jones. ESPN reports that an independent law firm was appointed to oversee the inquiry upon the public announcement of the federal charges.
Public Perception at a Low Point
A Quinnipiac University Sports Poll recently found that 33 percent of Americans believe NBA athletes and coaches participate in illegal betting. Among all respondents, 12 percent perceive such activities as occurring very often, while 21 percent say they happen somewhat often. Still, 66 percent believe illegal betting is occasional or rare.
“Perception is important, and right now the NBA clearly has a perception problem. It might, too, have a trust problem,” said Nick Pietruszkiewicz, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Director of Sports Communications at Quinnipiac University. Notably, among NBA fans, 35 percent express belief that such illegal activities occur often.
- Author
Daniel Williams
