On May 14, 2018, the US Supreme Court invalidated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, which had limited legal sports betting mostly to Nevada for 26 years. This ruling was a pivotal moment for both sports and gambling in America.
States rapidly established legal betting markets and started taxing them, while professional sports leagues formed partnerships with betting companies. Six years on, legal betting exists in 39 states, DC, and Puerto Rico, with over $330 billion wagered. However, the rise in betting volume has also led to increased controversies.
Over the last two years, numerous athletes and coaches across professional and college sports have faced suspensions or termination due to gambling rule breaches. At least one gambler admitted guilt to obstruction charges in a college baseball scandal. Early 2024 saw probes into unusual betting on Temple men`s basketball and prop bets related to Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. The NBA permanently banned Porter after finding he shared confidential data, reduced his game participation for betting, and bet on NBA games himself while in the G League.
The sports and gaming industries argue that the legal framework is effective, claiming that the transparency of legal betting helps detect irregular activity. Despite this, incidents, including players betting on their own sports, continue to occur.
Concurrently, the unlicensed, underground betting market, which has long been present in the US, is still active. Unlicensed bookmakers provide credit and attract prominent individuals seeking discretion. Ippei Mizuhara, previously interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, was dismissed in March for using an illegal bookmaker. Prosecutors later alleged Mizuhara stole over $16 million from Ohtani, and he surrendered to authorities.
With large states like California and Texas yet to legalize sports betting, the US market has significant potential for expansion, and public interest remains high. The ultimate size of the American betting market is uncertain, but it`s likely safe to predict that more controversies will arise.
2018
May 14, 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal ban on sports betting. The court`s 6-3 decision invalidated the 1992 law (PASPA) that had effectively limited legal sports gambling to Nevada. This landmark ruling cleared the way for individual states to legalize sports betting.
2019
Nov. 29, 2019: The NFL suspends Josh Shaw indefinitely. Shaw, an active player (though on injured reserve), became the first NFL player suspended for betting on league games. He placed bets against his own team, the Arizona Cardinals, at a Las Vegas sportsbook.
2020
Sept. 8, 2020: The University of Colorado enters a sponsorship agreement with PointsBet. This five-year deal allowed the sports betting company advertising space at university sports facilities and on broadcasts.
2021
May 26, 2021: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., opens the first operational sportsbook within a U.S. professional sports venue. Monumental Sports, the arena`s owner, agreed to a 10-year lease with William Hill Sportsbook.
Oct. 8, 2021: Sporting Kansas City player Felipe Hernandez is suspended for betting on MLS matches. An independent investigation found he engaged in “extensive and unlawful sports gambling.” Hernandez had previously notified the team of his gambling issues and concerns for his safety due to debts.
2022
March 7, 2022: The NFL issues a one-year suspension to Calvin Ridley. The then-Atlanta Falcons receiver was suspended for the entire 2022 season for betting on NFL games over a five-day period in late 2021 while he was on the non-football injury list. His bets reportedly included parlays involving the Falcons winning. He was reinstated in March 2023.
Dec. 23, 2022: Miles Austin, the New York Jets` wide receivers coach, is suspended for a minimum of one year. He violated the NFL`s gambling policy by betting on sports, though not on NFL or college football games, which is prohibited for league personnel.
2023
Jan. 19, 2023: The UFC revises its gambling regulations and hires a monitoring company following probes into suspicious betting before a fight. The organization updated its code of conduct with stricter rules on betting and partnered with U.S. Integrity, prompted by unusual betting activity surrounding a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.
March 29, 2023: The University of Colorado and PointsBet terminate their sponsorship deal three years ahead of schedule. A joint statement cited mutual benefit, coming one day after the American Gaming Association recommended against such partnerships between sportsbooks and colleges.
April 21, 2023: Five NFL players, including Jameson Williams, receive suspensions for gambling violations. Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, and Shaka Toney were indefinitely suspended for betting on NFL games. Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill received six-game suspensions for placing mobile bets from a team facility, although they did not bet on NFL games.
May 4, 2023: Alabama dismisses head baseball coach Brad Bohannon following suspicious betting links. Ohio regulators flagged unusual betting patterns on Alabama`s game against LSU. Federal prosecutors later alleged that a businessman, Bert Neff, communicated with Bohannon before the game and bet against Alabama. Bohannon was fired six days after the suspicious activity was noted.
May 8, 2023: Investigations into gambling violations begin at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The universities announced that over three dozen athletes across multiple sports (baseball, football, men`s basketball, track and field, wrestling) and one staff member were suspected of breaching NCAA gambling regulations.
June 29, 2023: The NFL suspends four players for gambling violations, including three for betting on their own teams. Isaiah Rodgers Sr., Rashod Berry (Indianapolis Colts), and free agent Demetrius Taylor received suspensions through at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in 2022. Rodgers claimed he placed bets on behalf of others.
Sept. 29, 2023: Jameson Williams is reinstated following adjustments to the NFL`s gambling policy. The revised rules introduced harsher penalties: a minimum two-year ban for betting on one`s own team, a one-year ban for betting on any NFL game, and escalating suspensions (2 games, 6 games, 1+ year) for betting on non-NFL sports from a team facility or during travel.
Oct. 26, 2023: NHL player Shane Pinto receives a 41-game suspension for gambling. While the specific violation was not detailed, reports indicated his online U.S. gambling account was flagged for “unusual activity” by an NHL integrity partner.
Oct. 27, 2023: Two golfers on the Korn Ferry Tour are suspended for sports betting. Vince India and Jake Staiano received three- and six-month suspensions, respectively, for betting on PGA Tour events. They did not bet on tournaments in which they participated.
2024
Jan. 25, 2024: New England Patriots player Kayshon Boutte is arrested regarding illegal betting activities while at LSU. Charges included felony computer fraud and a misdemeanor for underage gambling. Boutte allegedly used an alias to bypass Louisiana`s age requirement for betting, placing wagers between April 2022 and May 2023 when he was 20.
March 8, 2024: Temple University investigates reports of unusual betting activity related to its men`s basketball team. U.S. Integrity flagged at least one game, leading several sportsbooks like Caesars and FanDuel to suspend betting on it.
March 12, 2024: Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee Amit Patel receives a 6.5-year prison sentence for fraud. Patel pleaded guilty to stealing $22 million from the team over 3.5 years, funneling significant amounts to sports betting sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.
March 20, 2024: The Los Angeles Dodgers fire Shohei Ohtani`s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, over allegations of large-scale theft linked to gambling debts. Mizuhara was dismissed after questions arose about wire transfers totaling at least $4.5 million from Ohtani`s bank account to an alleged illegal bookmaker under federal investigation. An initial statement claimed Ohtani transferred funds to cover Mizuhara`s debt.
March 25, 2024: The NBA begins investigating Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter for betting violations. Reports indicated the league was looking into prop bets placed on games he participated in on January 26 and March 20.
March 27, 2024: NCAA President Charlie Baker advocates for a ban on college prop bets. He stated this measure is needed to safeguard the integrity of competition and prevent harassment targeting athletes.
April 11, 2024: Federal prosecutors allege Ippei Mizuhara stole over $16 million from Shohei Ohtani. Authorities filed a bank fraud complaint against Mizuhara, stating he took the money to cover his gambling debts. Prosecutors affirmed Ohtani is considered a victim in the case.
April 17, 2024: The NBA issues a lifetime ban to Jontay Porter. The league`s investigation concluded that Porter violated rules by sharing confidential information with bettors, limiting his game participation for betting gain, and betting on NBA games himself.
June 3, 2024: San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano faces a possible lifetime ban for betting on baseball. MLB reportedly received information that he bet on games involving his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, during the previous season.
June 4, 2024: MLB permanently bans Tucupita Marcano; four other players receive one-year suspensions. Marcano was declared permanently ineligible for violating MLB betting rules. Additionally, minor league players Michael Kelly, Jay Groome, José Rodríguez, and Andrew Saalfrank were suspended for one year.
June 14, 2024: MLB disciplines umpire Pat Hoberg for violating gambling rules. The specific nature of the violation and discipline were not disclosed. Hoberg denied betting on baseball and is appealing, but has not officiated since.
Aug. 15, 2024: Notre Dame suspends its men`s swim team for at least one year over gambling violations. An external review found team members bet on their own competitions and failed to uphold team standards. Reports indicated the athletes created an internal bookmaking system but did not bet on other Notre Dame sports or competitors.
2025
Jan. 30, 2025: Federal investigators are reportedly examining unusual betting patterns related to former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier`s performance in a 2023 game. This probe is part of the same investigation that resulted in Jontay Porter`s ban. Rozier, now with the Miami Heat, has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing, and the NBA previously reviewed the matter without finding rules violations.
Feb. 22, 2025: Fresno State and the NCAA launch an investigation into betting allegations involving multiple men`s basketball players.
Junior forward Mykell Robinson and associates are alleged to have participated in daily fantasy contests based on his own statistics, including betting on the “under” for his points and rebounds. Unusual betting interest in Robinson`s props was noted by at least one sportsbook. Robinson was removed from the roster.
Senior guard Jalen Weaver admitted playing a daily fantasy contest on his own points total in a game, risking $50 that he would exceed a specific point threshold.
A third player, sophomore guard Zaon Collins, was held out of a game amid allegations of betting on professional sports.
Fresno State stated that Weaver and Collins were withheld from competition pending a review of their eligibility.
June 29, 2025: Reports indicate Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under federal investigation for alleged gambling on NBA games and prop bets.
The alleged activities relate to the 2023-24 season when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
A gambling industry source noted unusual betting interest on Beasley`s statistics starting in early 2024. For example, significant money was wagered on him getting under 2.5 rebounds in a Jan. 31, 2024 game, causing the odds to shift dramatically. Beasley ultimately exceeded the rebound mark, resulting in losses for these bets.
Beasley`s attorney stated that an investigation does not equate to a charge and emphasized his client`s presumption of innocence, noting that no charges have been filed yet.
