Somebody needs to remind Angel Reese that it is not legal for WNBA players to gamble on games. She foolishly doubled down on her bet with Paige Bueckers at the All-Star Game.
Will the league enforce its own rules?
The WNBA put itself in a sticky situation. It actually promoted the wager on social media even though it was in direct violation of its own rules.
WNBA players are not allowed to bet on their own games.
The WNBA gambling policy unequivocally prohibits players, coaches, and team personnel from wagering money or anything of value on any league game or competition. Section 5(c) of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement states that any form of betting on any aspect of a WNBA game is banned. It does not matter if it’s a small side bet among friends or a multi-thousand dollar wager placed on a sportsbook like DraftKings or MGM. Regardless of the amount and channel, it is not allowed.
If a player is considered to be in violation of the rules, she then goes to a hearing. Any potential punishment is determined by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The specific rule reads as follows:
“Any player found by the Commissioner after a hearing to have been guilty of wagering (directly or indirectly), or of offering or attempting to wager, money or anything of value on the outcome, score, or any other aspect of any WNBA Competition shall, in the sole discretion of the Commissioner, be subject to a fine, suspension, and/or dismissal and disqualification from any further association with the WNBA.”
Notice how it says “any WNBA Competition.” As it is written, that includes the All-Star Game. The All-Star Game is a WNBA Competition. Gambling is not allowed.
Angel Reese wants her money from Paige Bueckers.
Most people would not have known that Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese placed a friendly wager on the WNBA All-Star Game if the league itself had not posted a video on social media to promote their bet. The video, which has since been deleted, shows the two All-Star players (who were on opposing teams) agree to play each other for $400. Winner gets the money. Loser pays up.
When the WNBA social media admin referenced the bet to Bueckers, she questioned its existence. “We did?!”
Reese took a very different approach. She confirmed the existence of the wager and joked that she would be “requesting her Apple Pay” because her team won the All-Star Game.
If the WNBA is serious, both players will be punished for violating league rules on gambling. However, it is not a serious league.