NBA, WNBA Urge Action on Sports Betting Harassment

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Mon Sep 28, 2026, 11:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

NBA, WNBA Urge Action on Sports Betting Harassment

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The NBA and WNBA are urging US gambling regulators to take stronger action against sports betting harassment.

The leagues joined their players' and referees' unions in a follow-up letter to state gambling regulators. They want tougher measures against bettors who threaten or abuse athletes, officials and their families.

The latest push comes as sports betting continues expanding across the United States. Consequently, the leagues say some bettors have directed increasingly severe abuse toward people involved in games.

NBA and WNBA Present a United Front

According to a report from David Payne Purdum, both the NBA and WNBA sent their latest letter on September 24. The NBPA, WNBPA and referees' unions from both leagues also signed the letter.

The groups are seeking stronger protections against harassment connected to losing wagers. They also want regulators to establish clearer consequences for abusive bettors.

The organizations described the problem in direct terms in their joint letter.

"Members of our organizations are facing a marked increase in betting-related harassment and threats, typically from angry bettors who are on the wrong side of a particular wager," the organizations said in the joint letter. 

"This conduct ranges from shouted harassment in an arena or on the street to violent threats conveyed online or on social media. While this behavior is typically directed at players or other game participants, at times it even extends to their family members. All of it is unacceptable, and all stakeholders should do their part to discourage this kind of misconduct and to punish it where they are able."

The leagues said the abuse can occur both in person and online. They also highlighted threats that can extend beyond players to their relatives.

Regulators Face Three Key Requests

The NBA and WNBA are asking regulators to pursue three main measures against abusive bettors.

First, they want mandatory lifetime betting bans for people responsible for betting-related harassment. Such restrictions would prevent verified offenders from accessing legal sportsbooks.

Second, the groups want easier reporting channels for betting-related abuse. Those channels could help leagues, teams and unions provide information to regulators and law enforcement.

Finally, they want greater accountability from sportsbook operators. The proposal includes proactive monitoring and banning of accounts linked to abusive behavior.

These measures could create additional responsibilities for US online sportsbooks if regulators adopt them. However, the requests remain proposals rather than nationwide requirements.

NBA Already Joined Broader Regulatory Push

Earlier this month, the NBA joined other major US sports leagues and their players' unions in a letter to gambling regulators.

The NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS, and NBA sent that September 15 letter to regulators in 35 states and Washington, D.C. The groups asked for stronger protections against abusive bettors.

That earlier initiative called for permanent betting bans, easier reporting procedures and stronger operator accountability.

The WNBA and WNBPA were not included in that initial letter. Their absence prompted criticism from the WNBPA, which questioned why WNBA players were excluded.

The latest letter now brings the NBA and WNBA organizations together on the issue.

Betting Harassment Could Affect Sportsbook Regulation

The leagues' concerns could influence how regulators approach player protection across legal betting markets.

Sportsbooks already offer markets involving NBA odds and WNBA odds. However, the organizations want regulators to address conduct that follows betting losses.

The latest request focuses on the behavior of individual bettors rather than specific betting products. It also seeks consistent consequences for verified harassment across regulated markets.

For US online sportsbooks, any new rules could require additional monitoring and account-management procedures.

At the same time, state regulators would determine whether to adopt the proposed measures. Their approaches currently vary, meaning protections can differ between jurisdictions.

The NBA and WNBA have now added their collective voice to a broader industry push. Their latest letter places betting-related harassment firmly within the ongoing discussion about sports betting regulation and player safety.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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