Betting Expansion Has Led to Threats Industry

NBA Coach Says Betting Expansion Has Led to Threats

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 01 April 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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In a recent statement, an NBA coach has spoken out about the threats that he believes have been created due to the expansion of sports betting across the nation.

J.B. Bickerstaff, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, recently spoke about his concerns relating to the impact of legal sports gambling in the United States. He also discussed a recent incident that affected him and his family personally.

According to Bickerstaff, the expansion of sports betting across the United States has not only affected the players themselves but also the people associated with them. This includes people like referees, coaches, and team personnel, as well as their family members. He said that the challenges and threats had created an environment that was fraught with challenges.

Speaking ahead of his team’s matchup against the Miami Heat, Bickerstaff responded to questions regarding recent comments made by Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton had expressed feeling like a ‘prop’ amid the rising popularity of sports betting, and this was an opinion that was mirrored by Bickerstaff.

Bickerstaff Describes Disturbing Threats

Highlighting a personal experience stemming from the surge of sports betting in the US, Bickerstaff spoke about a disturbing incident from last year when an irate sports bettor managed to obtain his phone number and subsequently threatened his family.

Despite leading the Cavaliers to a surprisingly successful season, with the team currently boasting the third-best record in the Eastern Conference at 43-27, Bickerstaff revealed the added pressures he and others in similar positions face.

Speaking about the incident, he said:

They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids. It is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.

Bickerstaff also went on to reveal that the person who was responsible for the threatening messages to his family was identified by law enforcement officers after he reported the incident to the NBA. However, despite the alarming nature of the threats, no charges were filed against the person who was identified as having made the threats.

Additional Problems Outlined by Bickerstaff

In addition to receiving threatening messages, Bickerstaff revealed that he has been subjected to other issues that present huge challenges. This includes heckling during games from bettors attempting to sway the outcome of their wager. This is another problem that he believes has become increasingly prevalent as sports betting has expanded across the country over recent years.

It was noted that in the past Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert was fined $100,000 by the league for making a gesture during a game that implied the contest was fixed. Gobert’s action, in which he rubbed his thumbs over the tips of his index and middle fingers, was seen as a violation of NBA regulations.

With the sports betting industry continuing to grow, and with more and more states legalizing betting, the NBA and its stakeholders are under mounting pressure due to concerns regarding the integrity and safety of the game.