Federal authorities investigate Malik Beasley in relation to NBA gambling activity

Sam Bentham

1 July 2025 at 5:44am UTC-4

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US federal authorities are investigating gambling-related allegations relating to Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley.

The investigation involves gambling on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023–24 season, when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks.

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According to ESPN, at least one sports book noticed unusual betting activity on Beasley’s statistics, with sportsbooks reporting high activity in January 2024.

In one example, before a Bucks-Trail Blazers game on 31 January, there was heavy betting that Beasley would get fewer than 2.5 rebounds, causing the odds to change significantly. However, he ended up with six rebounds in the game, so those bets did not win.

Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN, “An investigation is not a charge. Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the US Constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.”

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The Pistons confirmed awareness of the investigation but declined to say anything further, while the NBA stated that it is cooperating with federal prosecutors.

Beasley had been in negotiations with Detroit on a three-year, US$42 million contract, but it’s now on hold.

The news comes after two NCAA Fresno State basketball players were investigated in February for allegedly placing bets on games they had played.