Basketball player Malik Beasley is under investigation by federal authorities due to possible connections to betting on NBA (National Basketball Association) games. The investigation examines alleged irregularities during the 2023-24 season.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is leading the investigation. The investigation is also focused on betting patterns identified while Beasley was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
The athlete’s legal representative, Steve Haney, confirmed that he is in dialogue with federal prosecutors.
Haney said: “Malik Beasley has not been charged with anything.” The attorney also stressed that his client maintains the right to the presumption of innocence throughout the investigative process.
NBA official Mike Bass confirmed that the organization is fully cooperating with federal authorities. The Detroit Pistons, in turn, preferred not to comment on the case and directed questions to the league.
Talks between Beasley and the Detroit Pistons have temporarily stalled. The two sides were previously in talks to sign a three-year, $42 million deal. However, those talks remain on hold while the investigation continues.
The player’s legal history includes prior run-ins with the law. In 2020, Beasley pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making violent threats. As a result, he was suspended for 12 games by the NBA and served a prison sentence following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
The American basketball league is facing increasing pressure over issues involving sports betting. Furthermore, competitive integrity has become a central issue following the rise of online gambling. Finally, the NBA has stepped up measures to protect the credibility of professional sports.
NBA takes a stand on the growth of sports betting
The NBA recently made a statement about the growth of sports betting, sending a letter to the acting chairwoman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Caroline D. Pham, expressing concerns about the risks to the integrity of the games.
The league warns that sports prediction markets operate on a self-certified basis, without formal regulatory oversight, unlike traditional betting which requires state approval.
The sector has expanded rapidly, evolving from betting on full seasons to individual matches and specific niches such as individual player performance.
The NBA highlights the lack of mandatory reporting of suspicious activity, which limits investigations and preventive measures. According to the entity: “this gap in regulation makes it difficult to monitor risks as these markets gain popularity.”
Finally, the league is calling on the CFTC to develop more robust regulatory measures to protect the integrity of the sport by ensuring greater transparency and security in the growing sports betting market.
