By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 20:43 EST, 19 December 2025 | Updated: 20:43 EST, 19 December 2025
The NBA has launched a massive crackdown on internal leaks and performance manipulation following a series of high-profile federal gambling indictments.
The move comes following the arrests of a current player, a head coach and former star in a sports betting investigation allegedly linked to the Mafia that rocked the NBA.
Now, the NBA is fighting back and sent a memo to all teams in the league on Friday, revealing their brutal plans to crack down on 'insider information' being leaked.
After consulting with teams and the Board of Governors, NBA officials have zeroed in on six critical areas for reform, according to ESPN.
The crackdown will target tanking, injury reports and player prop bets. The league will also overhaul it's gambling education in a bid to prevent a similar situation arising.
The memo claims new protocols will be introduced to shield personnel from bettor harassment and sharpen the league's tools for spotting suspicious betting patterns.
The NBA has launched a massive crackdown on internal leaks and performance manipulation
The FBI illegal gambling investigation has so far led to arrests of former NBA star Damon Jones (pictured), Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier
Chauncey Billups is seen after his federal court appearance on October 23
Rozier, who most recently played for the Miami Heat, was placed on indefinitely leave following his arrest part for his alleged role in the scheme
In October, Miami Heat star Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former assistant Damon Jones were among 34 people arrested.
Prosecutors allege that Rozier and Jones supplied bettors with non-public injury details to gain an edge on the markets.
In the second separate but related indictment, Billups was accused of being involved in the Mafia-led rigged poker ring, which saw victims allegedly frauded out of $7m.
Under the new rules, according to the memo obtained by ESPN, teams must submit injury reports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time on game days.
Public reports on NBA.com will then be updated every 15 minutes, in a massive increase from the previous hourly updates.
The league is also taking aim at 'tanking' - the practice of losing games on purpose to secure better draft picks - in the wake of the sports betting investigation.
To combat the issue, the league is considering changing their rules surrounding draft pick protection and the draft lottery, according to the memo.
Federal investigators allege that a co-conspirator matching Billups' description told a bettor the Blazers were resting stars against the Chicago Bulls in 2023 before the news was official.
After consulting with teams, NBA officials have zeroed in on six critical areas for reform
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the indictments during a press conference on October 23
'This review remains ongoing and we will continue to solicit input from relevant team stakeholders as this work proceeds,' the league stated in the memo regarding tanking policy.
Finally, the NBA is also moving to restrict the types of 'prop bets' sportsbooks can offer on individual players.
A 'prop bet', or 'proposition bet', is a wager on a specific event or individual performance that does not depend on the final outcome or final score.
Proposed changes include limits on how much can be wagered on stats and a crackdown on 'under' bets.
The memo continued: 'Core to the NBA's position is that sports leagues should have control over the types of bets offered on their games.
'Because leagues currently do not have such control, any changes will need to be pursued via negotiation with sports betting operators, requests to state gaming regulators, legislative action, or some combination of these avenues.'
At the start of the month, Miami Heat star Rozier pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges in Brooklyn federal court.
Alongside his mother and attorney, the 31-year-old Rozier was seen walking into court in a grey suite and white shirt on a cold, blustery day in Brooklyn.
Rozier plead not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges in federal court
At the arraignment, Magistrate Judge Clay Kaminsky instructed Rozier not to gamble, possess firearms or have contact with victims, co-defendants or witnesses.
Rozier was released on $3 million personal recognizance bond, which he secured with his Florida home and another property that was not publicly disclosed, according to a court spokesperson.
He will only be permitted to travel to Florida, Ohio, New York and Long Island and must obtain approval from pre-trial services before going anywhere else as he remains on leave from the Heat.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 3.