Nevada gaming regulators are considering adjustments to sports-betting rules in response to recent scandals involving player underperformance and organized crime. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is seeking input from industry professionals on how to prevent schemes that manipulate athletic statistics to influence proposition bets, aiming to protect both consumers and sportsbooks.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada gaming regulators are exploring rule modifications for sports betting.
- The proposed changes aim to prevent schemes involving player underperformance.
- Industry professionals are being consulted for their input on potential regulations.
- The move comes in the wake of recent indictments and bans related to sports betting fraud.
Addressing Proposition Bet Vulnerabilities
The Nevada Gaming Control Board is actively seeking ways to curb cheating related to proposition bets, which can be influenced by athletes deliberately underperforming or having insider knowledge of injuries or planned absences. These concerns have been amplified by recent Justice Department indictments involving organized crime and former NBA players, highlighting the vulnerability of such betting markets.
During licensing requests for new sportsbooks, board members engaged with applicants like Joe Asher, president and CEO of Boomer’s Sportsbook, and Dan Shapiro, chief development officer of Caesars Digital (overseeing William Hill). They discussed strategies to prevent schemes where bettors gain an advantage by knowing a player’s status or by influencing a player to underperform.
Industry Perspectives on Regulation
Joe Asher expressed opposition to an outright ban on proposition bets, arguing that such a move would push bettors towards unregulated black markets. Instead, he advocated for consistent regulations across all operators within the jurisdiction to ensure a level playing field and prevent businesses from losing customers to competitors offering riskier bets.
Dan Shapiro indicated that William Hill instructs its employees to report suspicious betting patterns to the Control Board. The company has also refunded customers on wagers deemed suspicious, such as those related to a recent UFC fight. The board recommended licensing for both Boomer’s Sportsbook and William Hill’s operations, with final approval pending from the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Broader Implications and Recent Cases
The discussions by Nevada regulators occur against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny on sports betting integrity. The NBA has recently dealt with significant controversies, including the lifetime ban of Jontay Porter for his involvement in a bet-fixing scheme. These events have prompted calls for greater transparency and stricter policies within professional sports leagues regarding gambling.
Sources
- Nevada gaming regulators may be ready to adjust sports-betting rules, Arizona Daily Star.
- Nevada Gaming Considers Restricting Prop Bets, Card Player.
