Date of publication: November 8, 2025, 02:20h.

Most recent update: November 8, 2025, 02:21h.

• 12% of Americans believe that NBA athletes and coaches engage in illicit practices to sway betting outcomes.
• 29% of Americans suspect that players deliberately miss shots or fake injuries as a strategy in underground sports betting.

A recent Quinnipiac University Sports Poll indicates that one-third (33%) of the participants believe NBA players and coaches are often involved in illegal schemes aimed at influencing bets on games.

This analysis comes amid an ongoing FBI investigation linked to the manipulation of an NBA game possibly orchestrated by a current player, alongside an illegal poker ring involving a current NBA coach and a former player.

The Quinnipiac survey reveals that 12% of Americans believe that players and coaches frequently engage in illegal actions to impact NBA betting. Moreover, 21% feel that involvement occurs somewhat often. Meanwhile, 66% think that NBA personnel are occasionally (43%) or rarely (23%) part of such illegal activities.

Public Perception Issues

Last month, the FBI issued indictments involving over 30 individuals accused of participating in illegal sports betting. Terry Rozier from the Miami Heat was allegedly involved in a March 2023 game where he pulled himself out to allow a betting circle to capitalize on prop bets concerning him.

On the poker side, current Portland Trail Blazers coach and NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups, along with former NBA player Damon Jones, were arrested in connection with an illegal poker operation potentially tied to various New York crime syndicates.

Bipartisan representatives from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have corresponded with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, inviting him to testify before Congress regarding the indictments and the league’s measures against such purported illegal activities.

Are NBA Games Compromised?

A significant 68% of Americans perceive the involvement of NBA players and coaches in illegal betting as either a severe (32%) or minor (36%) issue, while 30% believe it to be a less significant problem (20% minor, 10% not an issue at all).

The poll also showed that 48% of respondents lack confidence in the fairness of NBA games.

Among those surveyed, the belief that players deliberately miss shots or fake injuries as betting tactics prompted 9% to suggest this occurs very often, and 20% indicated it happens somewhat often. Conversely, 69% think it happens occasionally (41%) or rarely (29%).

Twenty-eight percent believe that coaches manipulate roster decisions to sway betting outcomes, with 8% saying this occurs very often, and 20% indicating somewhat often. Furthermore, 38% think it happens occasionally and 33% claim it rarely, if ever, takes place.

Leaked Information Concerns

The survey also probed opinions on leaks of confidential information regarding NBA players’ availability for betting purposes. A notable 15% of respondents contend this occurs very often, while 30% declare it happens somewhat often. Additionally, 39% believe it takes place occasionally, and 14% say it’s rare.