NBA Directs Sportsbooks to Drop Some Wager Types
The NBA has directed sportsbooks to discontinue offering certain types of wagers, impacting bettors by removing options like bets on the first player to record a stat or the outcome of the opening tip.
Elmira, NY, October 16, 2026 —
The NBA has directed sportsbooks to stop offering certain types of wagers, including bets on which player will record a statistic first and bets on the outcome of the opening tip. The change removes those options for bettors at sportsbooks that follow the direction.
The information provided does not identify the sportsbooks affected or say when the directive was issued or when the wagers must be discontinued. It also does not specify whether the direction applies to every sportsbook or market, or whether any other wager types are included.
No reason for the NBA’s direction was provided. The available details also do not describe how the league will monitor compliance, whether it has set consequences for sportsbooks that continue offering the wagers, or whether the directive changes other forms of betting.
For bettors, the stated effect is limited to the removal of the listed options: wagers on the first player to record a stat and on the opening tip. The information does not explain whether existing wagers will be canceled, settled under existing terms or handled in another way. It also does not provide details about any replacement markets.
Without further information about timing, scope and implementation, the extent of the change across sportsbooks remains unclear. The confirmed point is that the NBA has directed sportsbooks to discontinue certain wagers, with the first-stat and opening-tip examples identified in the announcement summary.
Story summarized from the original created by TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press on www.mytwintiers.com, see more information here.
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