Introduction to Sports Betting Scandals
Since the Supreme Court decision in May 2018, many leagues have grappled with rules around gambling, and numerous famous athletes have been involved in controversies tied to the topic. Some form of sports gambling is legal and regulated in 38 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Recently, the NBA has been at the center of a sports conversation due to a gambling scandal, with Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier being arrested as part of a federal investigation into illegal betting activities.
Notable Sports Betting Scandals
There have been several notable sports betting scandals in recent years. In November 2019, the NFL suspended Josh Shaw for betting on games, marking the first instance of the league suspending an active player for betting on games following the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision. In October 2021, MLS suspended Felipe Hernandez after an investigation found that he had placed online bets on two MLS games. In March 2022, the NFL suspended Calvin Ridley for betting on NFL games, including Falcons contests.
NFL Suspensions
The NFL has been at the center of several sports betting scandals. In December 2022, New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was suspended for violating the NFL’s Gambling Policy. In April 2023, the NFL suspended five players for sports betting, including Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, Stanley Berryhill, and Shaka Toney. In June 2023, the NFL suspended four players, including Isaiah Rodgers, Rashod Berry, Demetrius Taylor, and Nicholas Petit-Frere, for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Other Leagues and Scandals
Other leagues have also been affected by sports betting scandals. In May 2023, Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon after he was found to be connected with betting activity in Ohio concerning an LSU-Alabama game. In May 2023, Iowa and Iowa State announced that dozens of athletes across multiple men’s sports were suspected of violating NCAA rules on sports betting. In October 2023, the NHL suspended Shane Pinto for 41 games for activities related to sports wagering.
Recent Scandals
Recently, there have been several high-profile sports betting scandals. In January 2024, New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested and charged with computer fraud and gaming prohibited for persons under 21. In March 2024, ex-Jaguars employee Amit Patel was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for stealing $22 million from the team, with the vast majority of the money being used to subsidize gambling losses. In April 2024, the NBA banned Jontay Porter for life after an investigation found that he had told a sports bettor he was injured and had placed bets on NBA games.
Conclusion
Sports betting scandals have become a major issue in recent years, with several high-profile cases involving famous athletes and coaches. The NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have all been affected by these scandals, and leagues have been working to prevent and punish sports betting violations. As the sports betting industry continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more scandals and controversies in the future. It is essential for leagues and teams to take proactive steps to prevent sports betting violations and to protect the integrity of their games.
