Michigan and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) have become the latest state and regulator to respond to the ongoing scandal involving NBA officials, present and former players.
In a groundbreaking investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies, at least 34 people were found to be involved in various schemes undermining the integrity of the league.
Multiple NBA athletes and at least one coach are embroiled in a scandal
At least 3 of those are directly tied to the league itself, including venerated Hall of Famer and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, as well as former NBA player Damon Jones and current Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.
Commenting on the newest rules introduced by the Board, Executive Director Henry Williams said:
"The integrity of sports betting in Michigan depends on more than enforcement — it requires proactive safeguards designed to detect and deter misconduct before it occurs. We’ve built a regulatory structure that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and consumer protection."
Some of the suspects have helped secure players for a rigged poker game with ties to the mafia, while others have engaged in sharing insider information with illegal betting rings, a clear breach of association rules.
Now, the MGCB has responded by issuing a detailed four-step plan by which it hopes to limit the potential for future transgressions. A big focus of this effort will be on licensed sportsbooks, with the Board expecting them to strengthen certain monitoring capabilities.
Sportsbooks will now be required to carry out internal control requirements whereby operators will have to maintain comprehensive internal controls designed to prevent and detect fraud, as per an MGCB statement.
The Board will also seek to review and approve events to ensure that they meet Michigan’s regulatory standards. Certain wager types, and specifically player props, may be suspended entirely or are the most likely target of potential denials during the reviewing process.
MGCB’s new measures put the obligation on sportsbooks to step up
There is now a very strict requirement on sportsbooks to ensure that insiders are not able to gamble at their websites – this refers to any person who may be involved with a sports organization and may have secured sensitive information unknown to the public.
Last but not least, all operators will have to carry out integrity monitoring and report unusual or suspicious patterns. Much of this has been done by sportsbooks even now, but the new rules are set to put a greater emphasis on the obligation that each operator now carries.
"Illegal gambling undermines public trust and puts Michigan residents at risk. We remain committed to disrupting these operations and educating the public about the benefits of betting legally and responsibly," Williams added.
