Tennis Faces Pressure to Match NBA’s Betting Restrictions

Jon Wertheim has thrown down a challenge to the ATP and WTA amid growing concerns about match-fixing in tennis. This problem, once mostly seen at lower levels, now touches major events like the US Open, which has betting partners onboard. Wertheim wants tennis authorities to take a stronger stance similar to what the NBA recently did.

The Call for Change

On social media platform X, Wertheim pointed out that many convicted match-fixers ranked outside the top 1000. He suggested tennis should restrict microbets and limit betting on challenger and below-level tournaments. His question to the tours was clear: can tennis act like the NBA?

NBA's New Betting Limits

This week, the NBA imposed new restrictions on bets such as who scores the first basket or wagers on players expected to see less than 12 minutes per game. The league sent letters to sportsbooks including FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics outlining these limits. Alongside this, NBA governance chief Dan Spillane announced plans for enhanced training led by former NFL player Charles Tillman for all teams.

The NBA also updated its Fan Code of Conduct to tackle harassment linked to betting. Some players have faced threats from bettors unhappy with performance outcomes. Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the threat sports betting poses to the league's integrity, calling it an issue that all leagues must face.

"For us, whether it's called a prediction market or sports betting, it's the same issues for our league, and I think for all the leagues," Silver told CNBC. "There's issues around integrity first and foremost."

Tennis Responds with New Rules for 2027

Unlike the NBA, the ATP and WTA have yet to roll out measures on the same scale. But they have introduced new regulations for the 2027 season focused on player welfare in tournaments sponsored by betting companies. Sponsors and tournaments must now contribute 10% of their betting-related contract value toward programs supporting player health, safety, and well-being.

The initiatives also aim to tackle online abuse aimed at players and the sport's ongoing gambling challenges. The hope is these measures will offer stronger protections both on and off the court.

Betting Partnerships Continue Despite Concerns

Even though these steps show the tours don’t treat betting as normal, it remains uncertain whether tennis tournaments will reduce partnerships with betting firms. This year, high-profile competitions such as the Davis Cup, Nordic Open, Miami Open, Madrid Open, and US Open all featured betting partners. Whether the number of such sponsorships declines in 2027 under the new rules is yet to be seen.