NBA Player Malik Beasley to Plead Guilty in Gambling Scandal
Beasley is accused of altering his play in games to enrich sports bettors and reduce his own debts.
NBA player Malik Beasley is expected to plead guilty on December 9 to charges stemming from an illegal sports gambling investigation. His attorney confirmed the plea to multiple outlets. Beasley faces charges including wire fraud and sports bribery.
Beasley is accused of manipulating his performance in at least four games during the 2024 season while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. The indictment alleges he either underperformed or overperformed to meet the expectations of sports bettors, who in turn allegedly paid Beasley, reducing or eliminating his debts to an individual identified as Ed Davis.
Beasley reportedly borrowed money from former teammate Ed Davis after accumulating significant gambling losses. His financial difficulties have been publicly reported, including disputes with a landlord, a barber, and a dentist. A sports marketing agency also obtained a $1 million default judgment against him in 2025.
Beasley, 29, and sports agent Paolo Zamorano were among six individuals charged in the federal investigation, which has led to more than three dozen arrests. Zamorano has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Beasley has been out of the NBA since the 2024-25 season, where he played for the Detroit Pistons on a one-year contract worth $6 million. He averaged 16 points per game during that season.
The federal gambling investigation has ensnared several prominent NBA figures. Former player Damon Jones was the first to plead guilty, admitting to conspiring to defraud sports betting companies using insider information. Jones allegedly provided non-public information about player availability, including regarding LeBron James and Anthony Davis, to bettors.
Other figures implicated in the scandal include Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups. Jontay Porter is currently serving a prison sentence related to illegal sports gambling charges.