A significant shift occurred in the landscape of sports betting on May 14, 2018. At just past 10 a.m. ET, the United States Supreme Court invalidated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. This federal legislation had restricted legal sports wagering primarily to Nevada for 26 years.
This landmark ruling opened up new possibilities for two major American interests: sports and gambling.
States quickly moved to establish and tax legal sports betting markets, and professional sports leagues rapidly formed alliances with the bookmaking companies that would be taking bets on games. Six years on, 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have legalized betting markets. Bettors have collectively wagered over $330 billion through these new state-regulated sportsbooks. However, as betting activity 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 dismissals due to gambling policy breaches. At least one bettor has admitted guilt to obstruction charges related to a college baseball betting issue. In early 2024, investigations were initiated concerning suspicious betting patterns observed in Temple men`s basketball games and on proposition wagers involving Toronto Raptors reserve center Jontay Porter. Following its investigation, the NBA banned Porter permanently after finding that he had shared confidential information with bettors, limited his participation in at least one game while with the Raptors, and placed bets on NBA games while playing in the G League.
Representatives from the gaming industry and sports leagues assert that the legal framework is effective, with increased transparency in betting activities helping to detect irregularities. Nevertheless, incidents, including players betting on games they are involved in, continue to surface.
Simultaneously, the underground betting market, which has always existed alongside sports in the U.S., remains active. Unlicensed bookmakers offer credit and attract some high-profile clients who may seek greater anonymity. Ippei Mizuhara, formerly the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was fired in March for using such a bookie. Mizuhara later surrendered to authorities after prosecutors alleged he had stolen over $16 million from Ohtani`s bank account.
As of now, California and Texas, the two largest states, have not yet legalized sports betting, indicating substantial potential for market expansion in the U.S. Public interest in betting shows no signs of diminishing. The ultimate size of the American betting market is uncertain. However, a seemingly safe prediction is that more controversies are likely to arise.
2018
May 14, 2018: Supreme Court repeals federal ban on sports gambling
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to eliminate the Professional and Amateur Sports Protections Act, a 1992 law that barred state-authorized sports betting (with Nevada being the primary exception). This decision, concluding a nearly six-year legal dispute, allowed any state interested in legalizing sports gambling to proceed.
2019
Nov. 29, 2019: NFL suspends Josh Shaw indefinitely
Josh Shaw, although on injured reserve, became the first active NFL player suspended for betting on league games. He placed bets openly at a Las Vegas sportsbook, including a parlay bet against his then-team, the Arizona Cardinals.
2020
Sept. 8, 2020: University of Colorado enters sponsorship agreement with PointsBet
The five-year deal between the University of Colorado and Denver-based PointsBet allowed the sports betting company to display signage at Colorado`s football stadium and basketball arena, along with advertising on other media platforms like radio broadcasts.
2021
May 26, 2021: Capital One Arena becomes the first U.S. professional sports arena with an operational sportsbook
Monumental Sports, the entity owning the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Washington Capitals, agreed to a 10-year lease with William Hill Sportsbook to open a betting facility within Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
Oct. 8, 2021: Sporting KC`s Felipe Hernandez suspended for betting on MLS games
An independent investigation initiated in July 2021 found that Felipe Hernandez of Sporting Kansas City had engaged in “extensive and unlawful sports gambling,” including placing bets on Major League Soccer games. Hernandez had informed the team about his gambling on July 5, expressing concerns for his safety due to accumulated debts.
2022
March 7, 2022: NFL suspends Calvin Ridley for one year
Calvin Ridley, an Atlanta Falcons receiver at the time, received a suspension for at least the entire 2022 season after the NFL determined he had gambled on games during a five-day period in November 2021 while on the non-football injury list. Reports indicated these bets included multi-leg parlays featuring the Falcons to win. He was reinstated in March 2023.
Dec. 23, 2022: New York Jets WR coach Miles Austin suspended for one year
Miles Austin, the wide receiver coach for the Jets, was suspended for a minimum of one year for violating the NFL`s gambling policy. The league`s investigation began after discovering he was betting on sports other than NFL or college football, which still constituted a violation of the personnel gambling rules.
2023
Jan. 19, 2023: UFC tightens gambling rules, partners with integrity firm following suspicious activity reports
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) implemented stricter language regarding wagering in its code of conduct and engaged U.S. Integrity, a sports wagering monitoring company. These changes followed reports of suspicious betting patterns related to a UFC fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.
March 29, 2023: University of Colorado and PointsBet terminate partnership early
Colorado and PointsBet jointly announced the “mutually beneficial” decision to end their sponsorship after nearly three years. This came one day after the American Gaming Association issued revised guidelines advising against such partnerships between sportsbooks and universities.
April 21, 2023: Five NFL players, including Jameson Williams, suspended for gambling violations
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore, along with Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney, received indefinite suspensions for betting on NFL games. Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were suspended for six games for placing mobile bets while at the Lions` facility in Allen Park, although their bets were not on NFL games.
May 4, 2023: Alabama fires head baseball coach Brad Bohannon after link to suspicious bets
Gambling regulators in Ohio initially paused betting on college baseball games involving Alabama after detecting unusual wagering activity for its game against LSU. Federal prosecutors later alleged that Bert Neff, an Indiana businessman, communicated with Coach Bohannon prior to an Alabama-LSU game and subsequently bet against the Crimson Tide. Alabama dismissed Bohannon six days after the betting halt.
May 8, 2023: Investigation into gambling allegations begins at Iowa and Iowa State universities
The Universities of Iowa and Iowa State announced that over three dozen athletes across multiple sports—including baseball, football, men`s basketball, men`s track and field, and wrestling—and one full-time Iowa athletic department employee were suspected of violating NCAA rules against sports gambling.
June 29, 2023: Four NFL players suspended for gambling violations, three for betting on their own team
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 stated his bets were placed for others, whom he declined to name.
Sept. 29, 2023: Jameson Williams reinstated after NFL adjusts gambling policy
The NFL modified its gambling policies. Players betting on their own teams would now face harsher penalties, a suspension of at least two years. Betting on any NFL game would result in a one-year suspension. Players betting on non-NFL sports while at a team facility or during team travel would receive a two-game suspension for a first offense, six games for a second, and a minimum of one year for a third violation.
Oct 26, 2023: NHL player Shane Pinto suspended 41 games for gambling
The specific nature of how Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto violated the NHL`s sports wagering policy was not fully disclosed. However, Pinto reportedly had an online gambling account in the U.S. flagged by an NHL integrity partner due to “unusual activity.”
Oct. 27, 2023: Two Korn Ferry Tour golfers suspended for sports betting
Vince India and Jake Staiano, who play on the PGA Tour`s developmental circuit, received suspensions of three and six months, respectively, for placing bets on PGA Tour competitions. Neither player wagered on tournaments in which they participated.
2024
Jan. 25, 2024: Patriots` Kayshon Boutte arrested over illegal betting while at LSU
Louisiana State police reported charges against wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, including a felony count of computer fraud and a misdemeanor count of gambling prohibited for persons under 21. Additional charges were possible as the investigation continued. Boutte allegedly used an alias to circumvent the age requirement for placing sports wagers in Louisiana between April 6, 2022, and May 7, 2023, when he was 20 years old.
March 8, 2024: Temple University investigates reports of unusual gambling activity
The monitoring company U.S. Integrity flagged at least one Temple men`s basketball game for suspicious betting activity. This prompted several sportsbooks, including Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel, to halt betting on the game.
March 12, 2024: Former Jaguars employee Amit Patel sentenced to 6 ½ years for fraud
Amit Patel pleaded guilty to embezzling $22 million from the team over 3½ years. He transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel and $1 million to DraftKings, using the remainder of the stolen funds on other expenditures.
March 20, 2024: Dodgers fire Shohei Ohtani`s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, amid allegations of theft related to gambling debts
Ippei Mizuhara was terminated after questions arose concerning at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Shohei Ohtani`s bank account to a bookmaking operation under federal investigation. Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani stated that Ohtani had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara`s gambling debt.
March 25, 2024: NBA investigates Raptors` Jontay Porter for betting issues
Reports indicated that Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was under investigation by the NBA regarding prop bets placed on games involving himself on January 26 and March 20.
March 27, 2024: NCAA president advocates for ban on college prop bets
NCAA president Charlie Baker called for a ban on college prop bets. Baker stated this measure was needed to protect “the integrity and competition” of games and to 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, claiming he stole money from Ohtani to settle his own gambling debts. Prosecutors identified Ohtani as a victim in the case.
April 17, 2024: NBA issues lifetime ban to Jontay Porter
The NBA announced its investigation found that Porter violated league rules by sharing confidential information with bettors, intentionally limiting his participation in games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.
June 3, 2024: Padres player Tucupita Marcano potentially faces lifetime ban
San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano faced a potential lifetime ban for betting on baseball. Information received by Major League Baseball indicated he had wagered on games involving the Pittsburgh Pirates during the previous season when he was a member of that team.
June 4, 2024: Marcano receives lifetime ban; four other players suspended for one year
For violating MLB`s sports betting policies, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was permanently banned from the league. Additionally, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly, Padres minor league pitcher Jay Groome, Philadelphia Phillies minor league infielder José Rodríguez, and Arizona Diamondbacks minor league pitcher Andrew Saalfrank were all declared ineligible for one year.
June 14, 2024: MLB disciplines umpire for violating gambling rules
Umpire Pat Hoberg was disciplined for violating the league`s gambling rules. The nature of the discipline was not specified. Hoberg denied betting on baseball and is appealing the decision, but has not umpired a game this season.
Aug. 15, 2024: Notre Dame suspends men`s swim team for at least one year due to gambling violations
An external review concluded that members of the Fighting Irish men`s swim team violated NCAA rules by wagering on the outcomes of their own competitions and failed to “treat one another with dignity and respect.” This resulted in the program`s suspension for a minimum of one year. Sources indicated that athletes established an internal sportsbook to place wagers, but did not bet on competitors or other Notre Dame athletic events.
2025
Jan. 30, 2025: Federal investigators reportedly examining Terry Rozier`s play in a 2023 game
Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating unusual betting patterns surrounding the play of former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier in a game from nearly two years prior. This investigation is part of the same probe that led to Jontay Porter`s lifetime suspension. First reported by the Wall Street Journal, Rozier, who played for the Hornets at that time and is now with the Miami Heat, has not been charged with a crime nor accused of wrongdoing. The NBA stated it reviewed the matter previously and found no league rules were broken.
Feb 22, 2025: NCAA, Fresno State investigate betting allegations
Fresno State and the NCAA are investigating allegations that two men`s basketball players participated in daily fantasy contests based on their own performances, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Sources told ESPN that junior forward Mykell Robinson and associated individuals placed bets and entered daily fantasy sports contests involving Fresno State games in which he played. These wagers and entries included betting the “under” on Robinson`s points and rebounds, sources indicated. At least one major U.S. sportsbook noted increased betting interest on Robinson`s prop bets in games this season, according to an industry source. Robinson, a junior, was removed from the team roster after participating in a January 11 game against Nevada. Attempts to contact Robinson for comment were unsuccessful.
Fresno State senior guard Jalen Weaver told ESPN that he played a daily fantasy contest on his points total in the team`s home game against New Mexico on December 31. Weaver stated he risked $50 on the fantasy site Sleeper that he would score more than 11 points. He finished with 13 points in a 103-89 loss.
A third Fresno State player, sophomore guard Zaon Collins, was held out of the Air Force game on Saturday due to allegedly betting on professional sports, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation.
On Saturday, when the gambling inquiry was initially reported, Fresno State issued a statement saying Weaver and Collins were “being withheld from competition as the University reviews an eligibility matter.”
June 29: Sources: Pistons` Malik Beasley reportedly subject of federal gambling probe
Federal authorities are reportedly investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley regarding allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets, according to sources on Sunday.
The allegations reportedly stem from the 2023-24 season, during which Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks, sources said. Beasley averaged 11.3 points over 79 games that season, starting a career-high 77 times.
At least one prominent U.S. sportsbook detected unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley`s statistics starting around January 2024, according to a gambling industry source. The source pointed to a game between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, 2024. The odds on Beasley recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds saw significant movement before the game, shortening from approximately +120 to around -250 due to a surge of bets on the under. Beasley ultimately finished with six rebounds, meaning the bets flagged as unusual were unsuccessful.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley`s attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. Constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.”