logo
Tennis Faces Pressure to Follow NBA’s Lead on Betting Restrictions
Amir Azimi
Daily News

Tennis Faces Pressure to Follow NBA’s Lead on Betting Restrictions

Jon Wertheim has publicly challenged the ATP and WTA to tackle tennis' long-standing match-fixing problem more aggressively. The issue is no longer confined to lower-tier events, especially now that major tournaments like the US Open collaborate with betting companies.

Wertheim took to X to question if tennis can adopt similar betting restrictions as the NBA, suggesting limits on microbets and wagering at challenger-level and below. He highlighted how many convicted match-fixers under the International Tennis Integrity Agency (@itia_tennis) were ranked outside the top 1000, pointing the finger at tennis authorities for inaction.

NBA Sets New Betting Limits

This week, the NBA introduced rules to curb bets on who scores the first basket and on players expected to play fewer than 12 minutes per game. The league sent a letter to sportsbooks like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics outlining these new restrictions.

The NBA is also ramping up training for teams, with former NFL player Charles Tillman assigned to conduct in-person sessions aimed at educating players on betting integrity.

Protecting Players from Harassment

Alongside betting restrictions, the NBA has updated its Fan Code of Conduct to address harassment related to betting. Some players have faced threats linked to their performances and associated bets. Commissioner Adam Silver expressed concern over the growing prediction market's potential to harm the league’s integrity.

"For us, whether it's called a prediction market or sports betting, it's the same issues for our league and all leagues," Silver said in an October interview with CNBC. "There are issues around integrity first and foremost."

Tennis Introduces New Player Welfare Rules

Unlike the NBA, the ATP and WTA have yet to implement restrictions on the scale of the NBA's measures. Still, they have taken steps ahead of the 2027 season to address betting risks.

Tournaments with betting partners must now allocate 10% of those sponsorship deals toward player welfare and benefit programs. These initiatives aim to protect players' safety, health, and well-being amid rising concerns about online abuse and the ongoing gambling problem within tennis.

Betting Sponsorships Remain Prevalent

Despite these new rules, many high-profile tennis events continue to partner with betting companies. Competitions such as the Davis Cup, Nordic Open, Miami Open, Madrid Open, and US Open featured betting sponsors during this season.

Whether the new financial and welfare requirements will lead to fewer betting partnerships in 2027 remains uncertain.

Summary of Key Points:

  • Jon Wertheim challenges ATP and WTA to impose stricter betting controls like the NBA.
  • The NBA limits bets on specific in-game actions and low-minutes players.
  • Player harassment tied to betting is addressed through updated codes and training in the NBA.
  • ATP and WTA require tournaments with betting sponsors to contribute 10% of those revenues to player welfare.
  • Major tennis events still maintain betting partnerships despite new safeguards.

Related Articles