Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back when addressing the recent NBA betting scandal that has rocked the league. During a segment on Inside the NBA, the Hall of Famer spoke openly about the situation involving former players linked to gambling allegations, reminding viewers that everyone in the league “knows the letter of the law.”
In the viral clip, O’Neal starts by acknowledging his own harmless trips to Vegas, “I’ll play some craps or roulette,” he said, but made it clear that what’s happening now is far more serious. “I’m ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy,” he said. “There’s an old saying in the hood: all money ain’t good money.”
O’Neal’s comments come after reports connecting ex-NBA players Chauncey Billups and Damon Stoudamire to betting related investigations, although no official charges have been confirmed. Shaq’s words echoed a growing sentiment across the league that the situation has gone too far, especially as the NBA continues to strengthen its ties with major betting partners while preaching integrity to its athletes.
“They knew the rules”
The former Lakers and Heat legend also pointed out that the NBA has been clear for years about its gambling policies. “Every year they cancel practice to remind you, don’t do this, don’t do that,” O’Neal said. “So all the guys had the information.”
His tone wasn’t one of condemnation, but of disappointment, emphasizing that the consequences extend far beyond the players themselves. “You can do jail time, lose your career, put a bad image on your family and the NBA,” he added, agreeing with co-host Charles Barkley that the issue has become “a stain on the league.”
A warning from experience
Now 53, O’Neal’s remarks carry weight not only because of his status but because he represents a generation that saw the NBA grow from controversy to global empire. His message was clear: with the league’s betting connections deepening, players can’t afford to cross the line, even accidentally.
Read the full article here
