Sports prop bets are creating integrity issues that need to be addressed, says Patrick Rishe

Sports Gambling Integrity Concerns - A federal crackdown revealed over 30 individuals, including NBA figures, involved in gambling and sports rigging operations linked to major crime families [1] - Legalized sports gambling, now in 38 states, introduces potential integrity issues requiring regulation [1] - Prop bets, particularly on individual player statistics, are creating integrity issues that leagues and gambling companies need to address [1][4] - Sophisticated AI tools can detect oddities in wagering, yet individuals still engage in such activities [1] Industry Response and Regulation - Leagues and gambling companies are motivated to increase integrity due to consumer concerns about fairness [2][3] - Leagues may welcome external investigations to clear up integrity issues [1] - Limiting prop bets on individual player statistics is a potential solution [4] - States have varying rules regarding prop bets on college athletics [5] Financial Implications - A player making $26 million annually risks their career for potentially a couple hundred thousand dollars [1] - Corporate partnership spending from the gambling industry is nearly $1 billion in the US and over $1 billion globally [8]