SBC Americas - Player Protection Hub

MGCB imposes new safeguards amid NBA’s latest gambling scandal

SBC AmericasNovember 4, 20250106 views

The NBA’s latest alleged gambling scandal spurred the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) to ensure it is fostering a safe and fair environment for players across the state.

The MGCB announced new regulatory safeguards to prevent fraud and protect consumers following the revelation of a new gambling controversy for the NBA. Last month, three former and current NBA players were implicated by the FBI in alleged gambling schemes.

The NBA personnel allegedly had ties to Mafia-backed rigged poker games and illegal sports betting, leading to a years-long FBI investigation and their arrests.

The three NBA personnel implicated in the league’s latest gambling controversy are Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncy Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard and assistant coach Damon Jones.

“This case is a wake-up call for the entire industry,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. “We must remain vigilant, adaptive and committed to protecting the in..

NCAA asks Kalshi to keep its distance from college sports body

SBC AmericasNovember 4, 2025093 views

The NCAA has written to Kalshi to ask the prediction markets company to stop implying a close relationship with the college sports governing body, noting that it is concerned about suffering reputational harm as a result.

“It has been brought to our attention that Kalshi uses the language ‘Outcome verified from NCAA’ (with a hyperlink to NCAA.COM.),” wrote NCAA SVP and Chief Legal Officer Scott Bearby in a letter sent to Kalshi on Oct. 30.

NCAA worried Kalshi’s implications will harm them

“The NCAA is concerned that this language will imply to the consuming public that the NCAA has some relationship with Kalshi which involves the NCAA ‘verifying’ or ‘approving’ data for Kalshi. Given the NCAA’s stance on sports betting, this could cause significant harm to the value and goodwill of the NCAA brand.”

Bearby asked Kalshi to amend its language to something “which clearly reflects the reality of the relationship,” such as “Outcome sourced from NCAA.COM.” The NCAA also wants Kalshi to a..

UFC cuts fighter tied to suspicious wagers flagged by operators

SBC AmericasNovember 3, 2025092 views

A period of suspicious betting activity led to the release of an athlete from the UFC and a round of refunds issued by a major sports betting operator.

According to a report from MMA veteran journalist Ariel Helwani, the UFC released Isaac Dulgarian after his loss on Saturday during UFC Vegas 110. Dulgarian entered the bout as a heavy favorite but was submitted in the first round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas by Yadier del Valle. Less than two hours before the bout, heavy line movement was reported with Dulgarian moving from a -240 favorite to -160 at various sportsbooks. There was also significant line movement on first-round finish markets as a result of heavy wagering.

The line went from as high as +850 to +475 moments before the fight. As a result of the suspicious line movement, DraftKings reportedly pulled all markets for the fight.

DraftKings attributed the decision to “integrity concerns” surrounding the bout. The UFC has yet to release a statement on the matter and the organ..

NCAA to require player availability reports for March Madness

SBC AmericasOctober 31, 20250125 views

The organization behind one of America’s most popular sporting events is making changes amid the popularity of regulated online sports betting.

The NCAA announced the requirement of player availability reports for March Madness, which had Americans spend an estimated $3.1 billion wagering on the annual tournament last year, according to data provided by the American Gaming Association. Starting in 2026, DI institutions in both the women’s and men’s March Madness tournaments will be required to provide player injury reports ahead of all contests. The NCAA is requiring schools to provide the reports the night before games and two hours before tip-off.

The player availability reports will also be publicly available in an effort to reduce gambling-related pressure and abuse toward student-athletes. The reports will use two player-injury designations: questionable or out. Inaccurate or failed reports can lead to penalties.

The undisclosed penalties are levied by the men’s and women’s bas..

Congress watching NCAA closely regarding athlete betting change

SBC AmericasOctober 31, 2025096 views

A Congressional committee that helps to oversee sports in the U.S. has written to the NCAA to question the wisdom of the league’s decision to lift its longstanding ban on student-athletes voting on professional sports.

The GOP Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie, is one of the authors of a letter sent to NCAA President Charlie Baker on Oct. 30.

Six lawmakers signed letter to Baker

“The timing of the NCAA’s decision to allow student athlete and staff participation in professional sports betting raises questions about sports betting and integrity of sport in the NCAA,” wrote Guthrie and five other lawmakers, referencing numerous recent betting-related controversies in both college and pro sports.

The authors noted that Baker himself has previously expressed concern over the harms that sports betting may cause to young people, as well as the integrity and abuse risks that may be posed by player prop betting.

“Given recent events, the NCAA’s ..

SBC Digital Player Protection: Shaping the future of RG

SBC AmericasOctober 30, 20250106 views

Join SBC Media on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, as we present the latest iteration of SBC Digital Player Protection in partnership with 1xBet.

The global conversation on safer gambling will take center stage during a full-day digital-only conference dedicated to advancing responsible gaming, regulatory cooperation and player wellbeing across the international betting and gaming landscape. The event will unite regulators, operators, legal experts, academics and thought leaders from around the world to explore how innovation, ethics and regulation can evolve together in the digital age.

Across six key sessions, attendees will gain insight into how technology, collaboration and transparency are shaping the future of responsible gambling.

Session and speakers

Are Stronger Regulations Giving Way to a Stronger Illegal Market?

As governments worldwide impose tighter controls, do stricter rules genuinely strengthen compliance or do they drive players to underground channels? Our panel will ex..

NCAA delays pro sports betting to allow schools to vote on rule change

SBC AmericasOctober 29, 20250120 views

The NCAA is postponing a rule change to allow gambling on professional sports as the matter receives pushback from key stakeholders across college sports.

The national governing body of college sports is delaying a rule change to allow pro sports gambling from Nov. 1 to Nov. 22, allowing DI membership institutions to vote on the issue.

NCAA recession period kicks in

The NCAA allows Division I institutions to vote whether to rescind an approved rule change within 30 days if a rule proposal doesn’t receive at least 75% of votes from the DI Board. The board voted to adopt the proposal, but with less than 75% of the votes.

Nov. 22 is one day after the NCAA closes a membership rescission period. At least two-thirds or more of the institutions need to vote against the rule change for it to be rescinded. In order for a rule change to be implemented, councils from DII and DIII must also approve a rule proposal. The proposal was initially approved by DII and DIII councils.

Potential rule c..

Former EMU basketball players fail to comply with NCAA gambling probe

SBC AmericasOctober 28, 20250110 views

Three former college basketball players tied to alleged sports betting violations failed to cooperate with an investigation initiated by the national governing body of college sports.

The NCAA announced that three former men’s basketball student-athletes at Eastern Michigan failed to comply with an investigation into potential sports wagering violations.

The three former players, Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry, are no longer enrolled at Eastern Michigan or with the men’s basketball program. The players also have no remaining collegiate eligibility and faced potential permanent ineligibility.

“When individuals choose not to cooperate—particularly when cases involve potential integrity issues—those choices can and will be met with serious consequences, including prohibitions on athletically related activities, the loss of eligibility and/or being publicly named in an infractions decision,” said the Division I Committee on Infractions.

Active NCAA bylaws prohibit wa..

Gambling industry responds to NBA’s latest gambling scandal

SBC AmericasOctober 24, 20250124 views

The NBA found itself embroiled in another gambling-related controversy, leading key stakeholders in the gaming industry to respond to a new round of allegations.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncy Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard and assistant coach Damon Jones were arrested on Thursday following an FBI investigation that found alleged misconduct tied to gambling.

The three NBA personnel were among more than 30 people arrested after the FBI uncovered alleged illegal gambling and wire fraud worth tens of millions of dollars.

NBA coach allegedly involved in rigged poker games

Billups, who coached in Portland’s season opener earlier this week, was allegedly involved in an illegal, rigged poker operation with ties to the Italian Mafia, according to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr. The alleged operation offered rigged games that used advanced technology to read and shuffle cards.

“Today’s events are ..

Canada’s attempt to federally regulate betting ads advances

SBC AmericasOctober 24, 20250106 views

The Canadian Senate has given fast-track approval to a senator’s latest attempt to establish national regulatory guidelines for online sports betting advertising.

Sen. Marty Deacon’s S-211 was expedited at the committee stage earlier this month and approved without opposition via voice vote on the full chamber floor on Tuesday. It will now head before the House of Commons, where the same effort under a different bill (S-269) hit a roadblock last year amid upheaval in the legislature and the ultimate resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Bill would mandate that Canada’s Minister of Canadian Heritage must consult and collaborate with various stakeholders to establish a national framework on sports betting advertising.

The framework would focus on identifying ways to regulate betting ads in Canada, with a view to restricting their use, number, scope or location. It would also compel the Canadian government to identify measure..