Michael Porter Jr. Sounds Alarm on Sports Betting’s Growing Threat

In an appearance on the One Night with Steiny podcast, new Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. warned that the proliferation of sports betting is eroding the NBA’s integrity. He believes it will only get worse.

Porter said: “The enjoyment of the game isn’t for the game anymore,”

“It’s so that people can make money. In reality, way more people are losing money than making money.”

He argued the sport has shifted from pure competition to a profit-driven spectacle, and said players from modest backgrounds could be especially vulnerable.

“Think about it, if you could get all your homies rich by telling them, ‘Yo, bet $10,000 on my under this one game. I’m going to act like I’ve got an injury, and I’m going sit out. I’m going to come out after three minutes… And they all get a little bag because you did it one game.”

Porter Jr. also cited his brother, Jontay Porter, who received a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024 for manipulating gameplay.

Porter Jr. argued that sports betting should be limited to physical venues, such as Las Vegas, rather than being available online.

Broader Context: Growing Gambling Crisis in Pro Sports

Porter Jr.’s warning arrives amid a series of high‑profile investigations into athletes’ involvement in the NBA and beyond in sports betting scandals.

NBA: Trio of Troubling Cases

Porter Jr.’s brother, Jontay, admitted in court in 2024 that he had manipulated his participation by removing himself from two games during the 2023-24 season for friends betting on unders. He acknowledged that he placed wagers himself, and the scheme was designed to pay off gambling debts.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, cleared by the NBA in 2023 for suspicious betting activity, remains under federal investigation. Recently, details emerged that bettors placed 30 bets, totaling $13,759, within a 46-minute window in a Mississippi sportsbook on the morning of the game. All bets won after Rozier exited early, citing a foot issue.

The latest player under scrutiny is current free agent Malik Beasley. He’s facing a federal investigation into prop-bet activity during the 2023-24 season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The federal probe stalled talks over Beasley’s three-year, $42 million contract with the Detroit Pistons. Additionally, he was recently evicted from his downtown Detroit apartment for failing to pay $21,500 in rent.

MLB: Spot-Fixing Shadows

Betting scandals are occurring not only in the NBA. A few weeks ago, Major League Baseball suspended Cleveland Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase amid an ongoing “spot-fixing” probe involving teammate Luis Ortiz.

Ortiz was also suspended a month earlier after odd betting patterns flagged bets on his pitches badly missing the strike zone.

Meanwhile, in 2024, Tucupita Marano received a lifetime ban from the MLB. Investigations found that between 2022 and 2023, he placed 387 bets on baseball, totaling $150,000.

International Soccer

Global leagues have faced similar scandals, notably the English Premier League.

In 2023, Newcastle United and Italy international star Sandro Tonali received a 10-month ban for betting on soccer matches. Separately in 2024, the English Football Association (FA) imposed a two-month suspended ban.

Also in 2023, Brentford and English international player Ivan Toney received a reduced eight-month ban from the FA after being diagnosed as a gambling addict.

Meanwhile, recently, the FA cleared West Ham United midfielder and Brazil international Lucas Paqueta of spot-fixing after a two-year investigation. He faced a lifetime ban.

Regulators and Operators Are Attempting To Curb Spread

In response to increasing betting-related scandals, some regulators are calling for new restrictions. Following investigations into the Guardians’ players, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called for a ban on prop and micro bets in professional sports. He cited their vulnerability to manipulation.

Elsewhere, in New Jersey, lawmakers have already introduced a bill to prohibit micro bets.

Furthermore, sportsbooks are also paying attention. DraftKings recently launched an “Early Exit” program. The operator will refund customers when a player leaves due to injury in the beginning stages of a competition.