Key Moments:
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver has advocated for unified federal regulation of US gambling.
- The NBA has urged licensed betting operators to limit prop bets involving two-way players.
- Silver emphasized concerns over player safety and the impact of betting-related fan behavior.
Push for National Betting Standards
The recent surge in sports betting across the United States has prompted NBA commissioner Adam Silver to reiterate the need for consistent, nationwide oversight. Commissioner Silver warned that the current patchwork approach of state-level regulations exposes the NBA to heightened risks of manipulation and misconduct, making the case for comprehensive federal frameworks.
In a discussion on The Pat McAfee Show, Silver underscored the importance of fairness, transparency, and protection for both players and fans across all jurisdictions.
NBA Responds to Integrity and Player Concerns
The commissioner explained that inconsistencies between various state regulations have led to gaps in monitoring and enforcement. He contended that a federal regulatory approach could more effectively detect and prevent suspicious activities by bringing about more standardized controls.
Silver said:
“I think, probably, there should be more regulation, frankly. I wish there was federal legislation rather than state by state. I think you’ve got to monitor the amount of promotion, the amount of advertising around it.”
“With this regulated structure of legalized betting, we can monitor it in ways that were unimaginable years ago. If there’s any aberrational behavior: People betting large numbers who hadn’t historically done so, just opening an account to place bets, or even the geotargeting, we know exactly from where the bets are being placed, very specifically.”
Adam Silver also noted that the league has been proactive in asking betting partners to restrict certain proposition bets—especially those linked to two-way players—because of the potential for manipulation.
He stated:
“We’ve asked some of our partners to pull back some of the prop bets, especially when they’re on two-way players, guys who don’t have the same stake in the competition, where it’s too easy to manipulate something, which seems otherwise small and inconsequential to the overall score.”
The commissioner also highlighted an increase in abusive conduct toward players by bettors dissatisfied with outcomes. He stressed the duty to safeguard athletes from rising harassment connected to gambling losses.
Silver explained:
“It’s often the case that your team wins and a player scores 25 points, but the fan, the bettor, had bet that the player was going to score 28 points or 30 points. We have to protect the competitors. We want to protect the environment in the arena of people getting out of hand.”
"I think there should probably be more regulation on sports betting..
We've asked some of our partners to pull back on some of the prop bets" ~ Adam Silver #PMSLive https://t.co/2lpJIZg1pn pic.twitter.com/lrhKo00mwe
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 21, 2025
Ongoing Debate Over Regulatory Direction
Adam Silver’s statements have brought renewed attention to the ongoing discussion surrounding US gambling laws. As the legal sports betting industry proliferates, the tension between market expansion and maintaining ethical oversight has become increasingly pronounced.
Whether lawmakers pursue federal standards or maintain the state-by-state regulatory structure remains an open question that continues to shape the future of the US betting landscape.
- Author
Daniel Williams
