Former Lakers Player Malik Beasley, Subject of Federal Gambling Investigation Reports

Emerging reports suggest that former Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley is under federal investigation for allegedly gambling on NBA games in the 2023/24 season. These reports, citing sources close to the matter, indicate that federal authorities are looking into Beasley’s conduct.

Malik Beasley Under Federal Scrutiny for Alleged Betting Activity

Emerging reports suggest that former Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley is under federal investigation for allegedly gambling on NBA games in the 2023/24 season. These reports, citing sources close to the matter, indicate that federal authorities are looking into Beasley’s conduct.

Report: NBA G Malik Beasley subject of federal gambling probe https://t.co/mVF1SLjnT9 https://t.co/mVF1SLjnT9

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 30, 2025

Worth noting is that despite these reports, Beasley is yet to be formally charged with any gambling-related crime, with his attorney, Steve Haney, publicly stating that Beasley maintains his innocence and should benefit from the presumption of innocence as guaranteed by the Constitution.

What Triggered the Investigation?

Investigations reportedly gained momentum after bookies picked out suspicious betting patterns on a specific prop bet during a Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers game in January 2024.

Apparently, there were dramatic odds movements on the bet for Beasley to have  “under 2.5 rebounds” in that game. The odds for the outcome leading up to the match were at +120 before suddenly switching to around -250.

Sportsbook integrity teams look out for and flag such anomalies, investigate them, and report them to sports leagues and law enforcement if deemed suspicious. This particular odds movement against Beasley hitting an unusually low rebound total are thought to have been the catalyst in kickstarting the probe.

Beasley’s Off-Court Legal and Financial Issues

The gambling allegations have come at a time when Beasley is facing several unrelated legal and financial difficulties. Reports indicate Beasley has faced multiple lawsuits in recent times.

Notable cases include legal disputes with a celebrity barber and a dentist.

Malik Beasley isn't having a good offseason. The former Detroit Pistons guard owed a barbershop and a dentist more than $60,000.

https://t.co/ZDspMGPcvV

— BET (@BET) July 3, 2025

More significantly, he is reportedly embroiled in a substantial lawsuit brought by  Hazan Sports Management, his former agency. The agency is in court seeking millions of dollars from the former Lakers star, citing breach of contract and an alleged unpaid loan.

These accumulating financial and legal challenges are separate from the gambling investigation,  but it’s likely that they will count against him in the gambling investigation.

NBA Response and Other Gambling Investigations

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has acknowledged the investigations and has shown a willingness to cooperate with federal prosecutors. This aligns with the league’s strong stance on gambling integrity, with legal sports betting continuing to expand across the United States.

The league has handled cases similar to Beasley’s in the recent past. In April 2024, Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban from the NBA  after he was found guilty of  disclosing confidential information to sports bettors and betting on NBA games, which are both in violation of league rules

Another recent case involved Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who was also implicated in potential gambling violations. However, both the NBA and federal authorities ultimately cleared him.

What This Could Mean for Beasley and the League

Although the allegations remain at the investigations stage, they are expected to impact Malik Beasley’s immediate future in the NBA. He entered the off-season as a free agent, and there were rumours of interest from teams, including a potential multi-year deal with the Detroit Pistons valued at around $42 million.

Most of these discussions are reportedly now on hold as teams await clarity on how the investigations play out. Depending on the findings, Beasley could face penalties ranging from fines to a lengthy suspension or even a lifetime ban from the league, just like Jontay Porter.

Social Media and Fan Reactions

Social media has received the news with a mix of surprise, disbelief, and often dark humour.

Malik Beasley said https://t.co/tDFh9DkUKM

— Overtime (@overtime) June 29, 2025

Some fans are defending Beasley, pointing out that he hasn’t been charged, while others are drawing parallels to past scandals, which is proof of the public’s heightened sensitivity to betting-related controversies in professional sports. The online buzz reflects the viral nature of such allegations in the age of widespread social media use.

For now, the federal investigation into Malik Beasley’s alleged involvement in gambling activities remains active. Formal charges are yet to be filed, and it’s yet another reminder that investigations into sports betting integrity can be complex and may not always result in formal sanctions or criminal proceedings.

Sources

• Reuters – Tweet reporting on Malik Beasley’s federal investigation
• BET – Tweet on Malik Beasley’s off-court legal disputes
• Yahoo Sports – NBA’s Malik Beasley sued for $2.25M by sports agency for breach of contract, alleged unpaid loan amid federal gambling probe
• Overtime – Tweet reacting to Beasley investigation news
• Afrotech – Malik Beasley Being Investigated by FBI Over Alleged Gambling Activities