Another NBA player found themselves embroiled in controversy related to online gambling.
According to an ESPN report, NBA free agent Mailk Beasley is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York for alleged gambling related to NBA games and betting markets. Beasley is being investigated for unusual betting activity during the 2023-24 season when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Beasley, a free agent after spending last season with the Detroit Pistons, drew the attention of an operator when his player props received significant betting interest starting in 2024.
Kirk Evans, an industry expert, pointed out unusual betting activity on the under for Beasley’s rebound market before a game between the Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers last January. Beasley finished the contest surpassing his over/under market for rebounds.
Beasly was reportedly in talks with the Pistons on a three-year, $42 million deal. Negotiations are now on hold as the investigation into his alleged gambling moves forward.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley’s attorney Steve Haney told ESPN. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. Constitution. As of now, he has not been charged with anything.”
Beasley was arrested in 2021 leading to a 12-game suspension without pay by the NBA. The 28-year-old was arrested on a felony gun charge and sentenced to 120 days in jail and three years of probation.
Gambling trouble for the NBA
Federal authorities are reportedly investigating Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier for his alleged involvement in an illegal sports betting scheme tied to a former NBA player.
Rozier allegedly manipulated his play when a large sum of money was wagered on his props during the 2022-23 season for a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
U.S. Integrity flagged the bets, leading to an inquiry by the NBA and the investigation by federal authorities. Rozier hasn’t been charged or accused of a crime.
Federal prosecutors are investigating Rozier as part of its probe that led to the lifetime banishment from the NBA of former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter last year.
Porter pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a New York federal court for his role in a gambling scheme. Porter provided insider information to a group of co-conspirators to pay back significant gambling. According to court documents, the group encouraged Porter to exit several NBA games early to pay back his outstanding debts.
The co-conspirators placed wagers on “under” player prop markets for Porter with the group winning more than $150,000. The wagers were flagged for suspicious activity by several operators leading to an investigation by the NBA and federal authorities.
The NBA’s probe led to the lifetime banishment of Porter from the league.
Porter is scheduled for sentencing in December. He faces up to 20 years in prison with prosecutors recommending between 41 to 51 months of time. The 25-year-old, who is undergoing gambling counseling, is estimated to pay $456,000 in fines and restitution.
