NBA betting scandal: Integrity must be independently verified and publicly demonstrated, says SIGA boss

As the NBA reels from its latest betting scandal, the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) says it is ready to help the basketball association “turn this crisis into a catalyst for reform”.

“This is a defining moment for the NBA and American sports as a whole,” said SIGA global chief executive officer Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros.

“The integrity of the game – and the trust of millions of fans, sponsors, broadcasters and communities – is at stake. For too long, commercial expansion has outpaced the safeguards needed to protect sports from corruption, match-fixing, illicit betting and other integrity threats.

“The current scandal is a wake-up call and a stark reminder that integrity is not optional; it must be independently verified and publicly demonstrated,” he added.

Over 30 individuals were indicted as part of two investigations – Operation Royal Flush and Operation Nothing But Net – for allegedly using wireless cheating technology to rig poker games and throw NBA matches.

“SIGA and SIGA America stand ready to support the NBA and US sport, and turn this crisis into a catalyst for reform. With the right regulations, training, education and independent scrutiny, we can restore trust, protect athletes and organisations, and ensure sport once again stands for fair play and acts as a catalyst for positive impact,” said de Medeiros.

In a statement on Oct 27, SIGA said the scandal had exposed deep, systemic vulnerabilities across the US sports ecosystem following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and the rapid, often poorly regulated, expansion of the sports betting market.

“The time for warnings has passed. The time for leadership, reform and accountability has arrived. With federal investigations widening and public scrutiny intensifying, US sport and the wider industry stand at a crossroads,” SIGA said.

“The moment demands decisive leadership, the adoption of independent, universally recognised integrity standards, independent oversight, ongoing education for all stakeholders, and a culture of integrity at every level of sport.”

SIGA and its continental subsidiary, SIGA America, said they are ready to lead this transformation by:

Providing guidance, advisory support, training, education and capacity building for leagues, federations, clubs, players, regulators and other key stakeholders;

SIGA also invited all leagues, clubs, sponsors, athlete associations and regulators to join its global movement.

“Integrity is not a slogan or an accessory to the game; it is the foundation of sport itself. This is the perfect moment for the NBA and US sport to lead by example and set a new global benchmark for integrity, transparency and trust,” it added.

Twentytwo13 is SIGA’s official media partner.