New York Open to Sports Betting Changes Upon NBA Request

• The New York State Gaming Commission today sent an email to the NBA saying it is open to sports betting modifications in wake of betting scandal
• Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the commission, said the state would act quickly if changes are requested
• NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently called for “reducing betting options on two-way contracts”

The New York State Gaming Commission is ready to make some sports betting changes if requested by the NBA.

In an email sent today to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the New York State Gaming Commission, said the state is open to modifying its sports betting offerings if the league requests for it to do so.

“I wish to highlight in New York, unlike many jurisdictions, the commission – not operators – controls the wagering menu and limits the sports and leagues accepted for sports wagering. Accordingly, New York state law and our regulations specifically provide sports leagues the ability to seek restriction, limitation, or exclusion of certain wagers,” O’Dwyer wrote in his letter.

No Request Yet From NBA To Evaluate Markets

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commented on Oct. 21, 2025, for potential additional regulatory measures including “reducing betting options on players on two-way contracts.” Just days later, news broke that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier had been arrested through a federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for potentially manipulating a 2023 game performance as part of an illegal sports betting ring. Shortly after, news also broke that current NBA coach and hall of fame member Chauncey Billups, plus former player and coach Damon Jones, had also been arrested for their roles in an illegal poker scheme involving New York families of the mafia.

Jones was included in both the poker and sports betting indictments.

O’Dwyer wrote that New York gaming regulators are willing to make changes to the state’s sports betting market if the NBA requests certain bets be restricted or limited in any way to ensure event integrity.

“While we have not received any such request from the NBA, should we receive a request we would act with utmost alacrity – despite the 60-day regulatory timeframe referenced,” he wrote.

Ensuring Integrity of New York Sports Betting

New York, like many other jurisdictions, requires sports betting operators to use independent integrity monitoring to identify and reports sports betting patters that may be unusual or suspicious. O’Dwyer applauded the implemented integrity monitoring systems for assisting in uncovering the illegal schemes.

The New York State Gaming Commission, he noted, is available to further discuss the matter with the NBA and assist in any way it can to ensure the integrity of Empire State sports betting.

“Please do not hesitate to contact us. I thank you for your ongoing leadership efforts to protect the sports betting public and sport itself,” O’Dwyer wrote.