Gary Bettman defends NHL’s integrity as league eyes expanded oversight tools amid wider gambling scandals

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discusses the upcoming playoffs and the future success of professional hockey on ‘Special Report.’

Several gambling scandals have dominated headlines across the sports world in recent weeks and months.

On Tuesday, longtime NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman touched on the topic during a wide-ranging interview. The league recently struck a partnership with leading prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket.

Bettman argued that the harmony between prediction markets and sports betting positions the NHL to have better oversight and ultimately more power to "take down any contracts that we don’t think are appropriate."

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media prior to game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.  (Marc DesRosiers/Imagn Images)

While no current NHL players or coaches have been implicated in the recent scandals that have rocked the NBA and MLB, Bettman believes the top pro hockey league is positioned to avoid similar issues.

"I don’t believe our game is susceptible in the way that some others might be ... you can’t really get away with that kind of cheating anymore," Bettman told CNBC.

In early November, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and All-Star pitcher Emmanuel Clase were the targets of the investigation and the two face charges in the alleged scheme.

Emmanuel Clase, left, and Luis Ortiz, were indicted in a federal gambling probe on Nov. 9, 2025. (IMAGN)

The pitchers face charges of wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering. Both pitchers pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Also, last month, the NBA