Amazon’s new deal with the NBA and FanDuel has triggered a wave of outrage from NBA Fans, who see the move as both hypocritical and reckless.
“Just when you thought you couldn’t get more degenerate: Amazon will allow NBA fans to connect their FanDuel account and display live bets/placed bets on screen during NBA action.”
Just when you thought you couldn’t get more degenerate: Amazon will allow NBA fans to connect their FanDuel account and display live bets/placed bets on screen during NBA action pic.twitter.com/CRcd9XU1j1
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 30, 2025
The integration will let fans follow their wagers live while streaming games on Amazon Prime.
The backlash was immediate. Critics say the league is going all-in on gambling while still punishing players for being involved with it. One fan, @MorrisChestbutt, pointed out the irony:
“And they had the nerve to ban Jontay Porter when all they do is pushing gambling more than they actually push hoops.”
For NBA Fans, it feels like the league has abandoned the balance between sports and business. Just a few years ago, commissioner Adam Silver framed betting as a carefully regulated opportunity. Now, fans are watching the NBA dive headfirst into promotions that turn the sport into another extension of the gambling industry.
As one user, @beaniemaxi, put it bluntly:
“Hilarious how quick NBA went from anti-betting to full degen mode.”
its sad and sets a dangerous precedent
— tmagled (@tmagled) September 30, 2025
The partnership may create new revenue streams, but it comes at the cost of trust. NBA Fans worry about younger audiences being exposed to gambling as part of normal game-watching, while others feel the purity of the sport is being pushed aside for quick profits. What was once a game is now becoming an interactive casino night.
Amazon Prime Turns Into Betting Screen, NBA Fans React With Concern
Amazon’s deeper dive into sports betting has NBA Fans divided. The company confirmed that viewers will now be able to connect FanDuel accounts directly to Amazon Prime and track wagers live during NBA broadcasts.
@MorePerfectUS summed up the announcement:
“Amazon is now integrating betting platform FanDuel directly into Amazon Prime. Bettors will be able to link their FanDuel accounts to their Prime profiles and see how their NBA wagers are playing out in real time, according to Amazon’s latest announcement.”
The news left many NBA Fans worried about how the game experience is shifting. @0x_Cheviii, called it simply:
“That’s awful.”
That’s awful
— Chevi@TallyUP (@0x_Cheviii) October 1, 2025
Meanwhile, another user, @OnceAndAgainst, linked it to a bigger cultural problem:
“The rise of gambling is so emblematic of our moral decay.”
This change isn’t just about offering fans new features. It marks a major shift in how basketball is presented on streaming platforms. What used to be a straightforward viewing experience now doubles as a betting dashboard. The tension is clear—while it adds interactivity for some, it blurs the line between watching a sport and gambling on it.
NBA Fans have seen the league embrace betting slowly, but the Amazon deal takes it to another level. For many, it raises questions about priorities: is the NBA more interested in fans enjoying the sport or keeping them tied to a bet?
The debate isn’t ending soon. What’s certain is that NBA Fans are no longer just watching basketball—they’re watching how the league and its partners reshape the entire viewing experience.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
