On May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court invalidated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, a federal law that had restricted legal sports wagering primarily to Nevada for 26 years. This ruling was a significant moment for two popular American activities: sports and gambling.
States quickly moved to establish and tax legal sports betting markets, while professional leagues rapidly formed partnerships with bookmaking firms that would handle bets on games. Six years later, 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have legal betting markets. Bettors have already wagered over $330 billion through these state-sanctioned sportsbooks. However, as betting has grown, so have the controversies associated with gambling.
In the past two years, numerous professional and collegiate athletes and coaches have faced suspensions or termination due to gambling policy violations. At least one bettor has pleaded guilty to charges related to obstructing a college baseball betting investigation. In early 2024, inquiries were initiated concerning unusual betting activity on Temple men`s basketball games and on prop bets involving Toronto Raptors reserve center Jontay Porter. The NBA permanently banned Porter following its investigation, which found he had shared confidential information with bettors, limited his performance in at least one game while with the Raptors, and placed bets on NBA games while playing in the G League.
The gambling industry and sports leagues assert that the regulated system is effective, with the increased visibility of betting helping to identify suspicious patterns. Nevertheless, incidents, including players betting on games they are involved in, continue to occur.
Meanwhile, the unlicensed, underground betting market, which has always existed in the U.S., continues to operate. Unlicensed bookmakers offer credit and attract some high-profile clients seeking greater anonymity. Ippei Mizuhara, formerly interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, was fired in March for using such a bookie. Mizuhara later surrendered to authorities after prosecutors alleged he had stolen more than $16 million from Ohtani`s account.
California and Texas, the two largest states, have not yet legalized sports betting, indicating significant potential for market growth in the U.S. Public interest in betting remains high. The ultimate size of the American betting market is uncertain, but one safe prediction is that more controversies are likely to arise.
2018
May 14, 2018: Supreme Court Overturns Federal Ban on Sports Gambling
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protections Act. This 1992 law had prohibited state-authorized sports gambling, with Nevada being the primary exception. The ruling ended a nearly six-year legal dispute and allowed any interested state to legalize sports gambling.
2019
Nov. 29, 2019: NFL Suspends Josh Shaw Indefinitely
Josh Shaw became the first active NFL player, though on injured reserve at the time, to be suspended for betting on league games. He openly placed bets at a Las Vegas sportsbook, including a parlay that wagered against his own team, the Arizona Cardinals.
2020
Sept. 8, 2020: University of Colorado Enters Sponsorship with PointsBet
The University of Colorado and Denver-based PointsBet signed a five-year agreement. This deal allowed the sports betting operator to display signage at Colorado`s sports venues and advertise through other media channels, such as radio broadcasts.
2021
May 26, 2021: Capital One Arena Becomes First U.S. Professional Sports Venue with On-Site Sportsbook
Monumental Sports, owner of the Washington Wizards, Mystics, and Capitals, finalized a 10-year lease with William Hill Sportsbook, establishing the first fully operational sportsbook within a professional sports arena in the United States.
Oct. 8, 2021: Sporting KC`s Felipe Hernandez Suspended for Betting on MLS Games
An independent investigation initiated in July 2021 concluded that Felipe Hernandez had engaged in “extensive and unlawful sports gambling” while with Sporting Kansas City, including wagering on MLS matches. Hernandez had informed the team about his gambling on July 5, citing concerns for his personal safety due to accumulated debts.
2022
March 7, 2022: NFL Suspends Calvin Ridley for One Year
Calvin Ridley, then an Atlanta Falcons receiver, was suspended for at least the entire 2022 season after the NFL determined he had gambled on games over a five-day period in November 2021 while on the non-football injury list. Reports indicated these bets included multilegged parlays involving the Falcons winning. He was reinstated in March 2023.
Dec. 23, 2022: New York Jets WR Coach Miles Austin Suspended for One Year
Miles Austin, the Jets` wide receiver coach, received a suspension of at least one year for violating the NFL`s gambling policy. The league`s investigation found he was gambling on sports other than NFL or college football, which is still against the NFL personnel gambling policy.
2023
Jan. 19, 2023: UFC Strengthens Gambling Rules Amid Investigations
Following investigations into suspicious betting activity, the UFC revised its fight code of conduct to include stricter language regarding wagering and partnered with U.S. Integrity, a monitoring firm. This change stemmed from suspicious betting patterns observed before a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.
March 29, 2023: University of Colorado and PointsBet End Partnership Early
Colorado and PointsBet jointly announced the early termination of their partnership, stating it was “mutually beneficial,” almost three years into the agreement. This followed revised guidelines from the American Gaming Association advising against such partnerships between sportsbooks and colleges.
April 21, 2023: Five NFL Players Suspended for Gambling Violations, Including Jameson Williams
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore, and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney received indefinite suspensions for betting on NFL games. Detroit Lions players Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were suspended for six games for mobile betting conducted at the team facility, although their bets were not on NFL games.
May 4, 2023: Alabama Fires Head Baseball Coach Brad Bohannon Linked to Suspicious Bets
Ohio gambling regulators initially halted betting on college baseball games involving Alabama after suspicious activity was detected for its game against LSU. Federal prosecutors alleged businessman Bert Neff communicated with Coach Bohannon before an Alabama-LSU game and then bet against the Crimson Tide. Alabama fired Bohannon six days after the betting halt.
May 8, 2023: Investigation into Iowa-Iowa State Gambling Begins
The Universities of Iowa and Iowa State announced investigations involving over three dozen athletes from various sports (baseball, football, men`s basketball, men`s track and field, wrestling) and one Iowa athletic department employee, suspected of violating NCAA gambling rules.
June 29, 2023: NFL Suspends Four Players for Gambling Violations
Indianapolis Colts players Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and Rashod Berry, along with free agent Demetrius Taylor, were suspended by the NFL through at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in 2022. Rodgers claimed he placed bets for others, declining to identify them.
Sept. 29, 2023: Jameson Williams Reinstated Following NFL Policy Update
The NFL revised its gambling policies, imposing harsher penalties for betting on one`s own team (minimum two-year suspension) and a one-year suspension for betting on any NFL game. Betting on non-NFL sports while at team facilities or during team travel would now result in a two-game suspension for a first offense, six games for a second, and at least a year for a third.
Oct 26, 2023: NHL Player Shane Pinto Suspended 41 Games
Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto received a 41-game suspension for violating the NHL`s sports wagering policy. Reports indicated an online gambling account used by Pinto was flagged by an integrity partner due to unusual activity.
Oct. 27, 2023: Two Korn Ferry Tour Golfers Suspended for Betting
Vince India and Jake Staiano, playing on the PGA Tour`s feeder circuit, were suspended for three and six months respectively for placing bets on PGA Tour events. Neither player wagered on tournaments in which they competed.
2024
Jan. 25, 2024: Patriots` Kayshon Boutte Arrested Over Alleged Illegal Betting at LSU
Louisiana State police arrested wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on charges including felony computer fraud and a misdemeanor for gambling while underage. Boutte allegedly used an alias to bypass age restrictions for placing sports wagers in Louisiana between April 2022 and May 2023, while he was 20 years old.
March 8, 2024: Temple Reviews Reports of Unusual Gambling Activity
Monitoring firm U.S. Integrity flagged at least one Temple men`s basketball game for unusual betting patterns, prompting sportsbooks like Caesars and FanDuel to halt betting on the game.
March 12, 2024: Ex-Jaguars Employee Amit Patel Sentenced to 6 ½ Years for Fraud
Amit Patel pleaded guilty to stealing $22 million from the Jacksonville Jaguars over 3½ years. He transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel and $1 million to DraftKings, using the remainder for other expenses.
March 20, 2024: Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtani`s Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Amid Theft Allegations Linked to Gambling Debts
Ippei Mizuhara was fired after questions arose regarding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Shohei Ohtani`s bank account to a bookmaking operation under federal investigation. An initial report suggested Ohtani had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara`s gambling debt.
March 25, 2024: NBA Investigates Raptors` Jontay Porter for Betting
Reports indicated the NBA was investigating Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for potential betting issues related to prop bets on games on January 26 and March 20 involving himself.
March 27, 2024: NCAA President Calls for Ban on College Prop Bets
NCAA president Charlie Baker urged a ban on college prop bets to safeguard “the integrity and competition” of the game and prevent harassment of student and professional athletes.
April 11, 2024: Federal Prosecutors Allege Mizuhara Stole Over $16 Million from Ohtani
Federal authorities filed a complaint accusing Mizuhara of bank fraud, alleging he stole money from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Prosecutors stated Ohtani is considered a victim in the case.
April 17, 2024: NBA Issues Lifetime Ban to Jontay Porter
The NBA announced its investigation concluded Porter violated league rules by sharing confidential information with bettors, intentionally limiting his participation in games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games. He received a lifetime ban.
June 3, 2024: Padres` Marcano Faces Potential Lifetime Ban
San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was reported to be facing a potential lifetime ban for betting on baseball games. Information suggested he wagered on games involving the Pittsburgh Pirates while he was a member of that team the previous season.
June 4, 2024: Marcano Receives Lifetime Ban; Four Other Players Suspended for One Year
Major League Baseball permanently banned Tucupita Marcano for violating its sports betting rules. Additionally, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres minor leaguer Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguer José Rodríguez, and Arizona Diamondbacks minor leaguer Andrew Saalfrank were suspended for one year.
June 14, 2024: MLB Disciplines Umpire Pat Hoberg
Umpire Pat Hoberg was disciplined for violating MLB`s gambling rules, though the specifics were not disclosed. Hoberg has denied betting on baseball and is appealing the discipline, and has not umpired a game this season.
Aug. 15, 2024: Notre Dame Suspends Men`s Swim Team for Gambling
An external review found members of the Notre Dame men`s swim team violated NCAA rules by wagering on their own competitions and failing to show respect towards teammates, resulting in a suspension of the program for at least one year. Reports indicated athletes created an internal sportsbook for wagers, but did not bet on competitors or other Notre Dame sports.
2025
Jan. 30, 2025: Federal Investigators Reportedly Eyeing Terry Rozier`s Play in 2023 Game
Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating unusual betting patterns related to the performance of former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier in a game nearly two years prior. This investigation is reportedly connected to the probe that led to Jontay Porter`s ban. Rozier, then with the Hornets and now with the Miami Heat, has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing. The NBA stated it reviewed the matter previously and found no league rules violations.
Feb 22, 2025: NCAA, Fresno State Investigating Betting Allegations
Fresno State and the NCAA are investigating allegations that two men`s basketball players participated in daily fantasy sports contests based on their own statistics. Reports indicate junior forward Mykell Robinson and associates bet on and entered contests involving Fresno State games he played in, including wagering on the `under` for his points and rebounds. Robinson was removed from the roster after a January 11 game. Senior guard Jalen Weaver admitted to playing a daily fantasy contest on his points total in a December 31 game. A third player, sophomore guard Zaon Collins, was withheld from a game for allegedly betting on professional sports.
June 29, 2025: Sources: Pistons` Malik Beasley Subject of Federal Gambling Probe
Federal authorities are reportedly investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley concerning allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets. The allegations stem from the 2023-24 season when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Sources indicated that at least one prominent U.S. sportsbook detected unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley`s statistics starting around January 2024. A specific game on January 31, 2024, between the Bucks and Trail Blazers, saw significant line movement on the odds for Beasley recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds, which shortened considerably due to heavy action on the `under`. Beasley finished that game with six rebounds, and the unusual bets lost. Beasley`s attorney stated that an investigation is not a charge and that Beasley is presumed innocent, having not been charged with anything.
Adrian Whitmore