The NBA and WNBA are stepping up their push to protect players, referees and their families from betting-related harassment.
The two leagues have sent a second letter to state gambling regulators calling for stronger action against bettors who threaten or abuse people involved in games.
This time, the NBA and WNBA were joined by the NBPA, WNBPA and the referees’ unions from both leagues, according to Yahoo Sports.
The letter follows a similar push made earlier this month by the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and MLS, which called for gambling regulators to introduce tougher consequences for abusive bettors.
The latest statement specifically highlighted the growing number of threats being directed at players and other game participants by people who have lost wagers.
“Members of our organizations are facing a marked increase in betting-related harassment and threats, typically from angry bettors who are on the wrong side of a particular wager,” the organizations said in the joint letter. “This conduct ranges from shouted harassment in an arena or on the street to violent threats conveyed online or on social media. While this behavior is typically directed at players or other game participants, at times it even extends to their family members. All of it is unacceptable, and all stakeholders should do their part to discourage this kind of misconduct and to punish it where they are able.”
The groups are asking regulators to introduce three major measures: mandatory lifetime bans for people responsible for betting-related harassment, easier methods for reporting abuse and proactive monitoring of accounts connected to threatening behavior.
The new letter also comes after controversy surrounding the original statement in mid-September.
The WNBA and WNBPA were not included in that initial effort, prompting the players’ union to publicly criticize the decision.
The WNBPA said the NBA had determined “that WNBA players did not warrant inclusion in a joint position statement.”
That is no longer the case.
The WNBA, WNBPA and referees’ unions have now joined the NBA and NBPA in the latest letter, with the groups presenting a united position as they push gambling regulators to introduce stronger protections against betting-related abuse.
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