On May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992. This federal law had limited legal sports betting primarily to Nevada for 26 years. This ruling marked a significant moment for both sports and gambling in America.
Following this landmark decision, states rapidly moved to launch and tax legal sports betting markets. Professional sports leagues quickly partnered with betting companies. In the six years since the ruling, 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have established legal betting markets, where bettors have wagered over $330 billion with licensed sportsbooks. However, as betting volume has grown, so have the associated controversies.
Over the past two years, numerous professional and collegiate athletes and coaches have faced suspensions or been fired for gambling violations. At least one bettor has pleaded guilty to obstruction charges in connection with a college baseball betting scandal. Early in 2024, investigations were launched into suspicious betting on Temple men`s basketball and on prop bets involving Toronto Raptors reserve center Jontay Porter. The NBA ultimately banned Porter for life after its investigation confirmed he shared confidential information with bettors, intentionally limited his participation in at least one game while with the Raptors, and placed bets on NBA games while in the G League.
Industry representatives and sports leagues claim the legal system is effective, arguing that increased visibility of betting activity helps identify anomalies. Despite this, incidents, including players betting on games they are involved in, continue to occur.
Meanwhile, the long-standing underground betting market in the U.S. remains active. Unlicensed bookmakers offer credit and attract clients seeking more anonymity, including some high-profile individuals. Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was fired in March for using such a bookie. Prosecutors later alleged Mizuhara stole over $16 million from Ohtani`s account, and Mizuhara surrendered to authorities.
California and Texas, the two largest states by population, have not yet legalized sports betting, indicating significant potential for market growth in the U.S. Public interest in betting shows no signs of waning. Predicting the ultimate size of the American betting market is uncertain, but perhaps the safest bet is that more controversies are inevitable.
2018
May 14, 2018: Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Sports Gambling Ban
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, invalidated the 1992 law that had restricted state-authorized sports betting for 26 years (with Nevada being the primary exception). This ruling, concluding a nearly six-year legal challenge, cleared the way for any state interested in legalizing sports gambling to proceed.
2019
November 29, 2019: NFL Suspends Josh Shaw Indefinitely
Josh Shaw, an active player at the time (though on injured reserve), became the first NFL player suspended for betting on league games. He placed bets openly at a Las Vegas sportsbook, including a parlay bet against his own team, the Arizona Cardinals. (Shaw was the first active player to be suspended for betting on league games.)
2020
September 8, 2020: University of Colorado Signs Sponsorship Deal with PointsBet
The University of Colorado entered into a five-year sponsorship agreement with Denver-based PointsBet. This deal allowed the sports betting company to display signage at Colorado`s football stadium and basketball arena and advertise through other media channels like radio broadcasts.
2021
May 26, 2021: Capital One Arena Opens First In-Arena Sportsbook
Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. became the first professional sports venue in the U.S. to host a fully operational sportsbook. Monumental Sports, owner of the Wizards, Mystics, and Capitals, signed a 10-year lease agreement with William Hill Sportsbook.
October 8, 2021: Sporting KC`s Felipe Hernandez Suspended by MLS
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez received a suspension for betting on Major League Soccer (MLS) games. An independent investigation initiated in July 2021 revealed his involvement in `extensive and unlawful sports gambling,` including betting on MLS matches. Hernandez had previously notified the team on July 5 about his gambling activities, expressing concerns for his personal safety due to accumulated debts.
2022
March 7, 2022: NFL Suspends Calvin Ridley for One Year
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley received a suspension for at least the entire 2022 season. The NFL found he had bet on games over a five-day period in November 2021 while on the non-football injury list. Reports indicated his bets included multileg parlays featuring the Falcons winning. He was reinstated in March 2023.
December 23, 2022: Jets WR Coach Miles Austin Suspended for One Year
Miles Austin, the New York Jets` wide receivers coach, was suspended for at least one year due to violating the NFL`s gambling rules. The league`s investigation revealed he was gambling on sports, although not on NFL or college football games, which is still a violation of the policy for league personnel. (Jameson Williams was among players suspended in April 2023.)
2023
January 19, 2023: UFC Strengthens Gambling Rules, Hires Integrity Firm
The UFC implemented stricter language regarding wagering in its code of conduct and partnered with U.S. Integrity, a firm monitoring sports betting. This action followed investigations into suspicious betting activity concerning a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.
March 29, 2023: University of Colorado Ends Partnership with PointsBet Early
The University of Colorado and PointsBet jointly announced they would terminate their sponsorship agreement almost three years ahead of schedule, describing the decision as `mutually beneficial.` This occurred shortly after the American Gaming Association issued updated guidelines recommending against such partnerships between sportsbooks and collegiate institutions.
April 21, 2023: Five NFL Players Suspended for Gambling Violations
Five NFL players received suspensions for gambling. Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore of the Detroit Lions, and Shaka Toney of the Washington Commanders were indefinitely suspended for betting on NFL games. Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions) and Stanley Berryhill received six-game suspensions for placing mobile bets from the Lions` team facility, although their bets were not on NFL games.
May 4, 2023: Alabama Fires Baseball Coach Brad Bohannon Tied to Suspicious Bets
Alabama`s head baseball coach, Brad Bohannon, was fired after suspicious betting activity surrounding the team`s game against LSU was detected, prompting Ohio gambling regulators to halt betting on college baseball games involving Alabama. Federal prosecutors later alleged that Bert Neff, a businessman, communicated with Bohannon before the game and then bet against the Crimson Tide. Bohannon`s dismissal came six days after the betting halt.
May 8, 2023: Iowa and Iowa State Launch Gambling Investigations
The Universities of Iowa and Iowa State announced investigations involving over three dozen athletes and one Iowa athletic department employee suspected of violating NCAA gambling rules. The athletes represented various sports, including baseball, football, men`s basketball, track and field, and wrestling.
June 29, 2023: Four NFL Players Suspended for Gambling Violations
The NFL suspended four players for betting on league games in 2022: Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts, and free agent Demetrius Taylor. Rodgers stated his bets were placed on behalf of others, though he declined to name them.
September 29, 2023: NFL Modifies Gambling Policy; Jameson Williams Reinstated
The NFL updated its gambling policy, implementing harsher penalties for players betting on their own teams (at least a two-year suspension) and a one-year suspension for betting on any NFL game. Betting on non-NFL sports from team facilities or during team travel now carries a two-game ban for a first offense, six games for a second, and a minimum of one year for a third. Following this policy adjustment, Jameson Williams was reinstated.
October 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. Although the specific violation was not fully detailed, reports indicated Pinto had an online gambling account in the U.S. that was flagged for `unusual activity` by an NHL integrity partner.
October 27, 2023: Two Korn Ferry Tour Golfers Suspended for Betting
Vince India and Jake Staiano, players on the Korn Ferry Tour (the PGA Tour`s developmental circuit), were suspended for three and six months respectively. Their suspensions were for placing bets on PGA Tour events, though they did not wager on tournaments in which they were participating.
2024
January 25, 2024: Patriots` Kayshon Boutte Arrested Over LSU Betting
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested based on allegations of illegal betting while he was a player at LSU. Louisiana State police charges included felony computer fraud and a misdemeanor for underage gambling. Boutte allegedly used an alias to bypass the age restriction for placing bets in Louisiana between April 2022 and May 2023, when he was 20 years old.
March 8, 2024: Temple University Reviews Reports of Unusual Betting Activity
Temple men`s basketball came under scrutiny after watchdog firm U.S. Integrity flagged at least one game for unusual betting patterns. This prompted several sportsbooks, including Caesars and FanDuel, to suspend betting on the game.
March 12, 2024: Former Jaguars Employee Sentenced for Stealing Millions for Gambling
Amit Patel, a former employee of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing $22 million from the team over 3.5 years. Patel transferred approximately $20 million to FanDuel and $1 million to DraftKings, using the remainder for other expenses.
March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani`s Interpreter Fired Amid Gambling Debt Allegations
Ippei Mizuhara, the long-time interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was fired following questions about at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani`s bank account to a bookmaking operation under federal investigation. Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani stated Ohtani had sent the funds to cover Mizuhara`s gambling debts. (Ippei Mizuhara accused of bank fraud related to stealing from Ohtani for gambling debts.)
March 25, 2024: NBA Investigates Raptors` Jontay Porter for Betting Violations
Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter became the subject of an NBA investigation into alleged prop bets involving himself placed on games played on January 26 and March 20.
March 27, 2024: NCAA President Calls for Ban on College Prop Bets
NCAA President Charlie Baker publicly advocated for a ban on college prop bets. He argued this measure is necessary to safeguard `the integrity and competition` of games and to prevent the harassment of both student and professional athletes.
April 11, 2024: Prosecutors Allege Mizuhara Stole Over $16 Million from Ohtani
Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint accusing Ippei Mizuhara of bank fraud, alleging he stole more than $16 million from Shohei Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Prosecutors explicitly stated Ohtani is considered a victim in the case.
April 17, 2024: NBA Bans Jontay Porter for Life
The NBA announced the findings of its investigation into Jontay Porter, resulting in a lifetime ban. The league concluded that Porter violated rules by sharing confidential information with bettors, deliberately limiting his performance in games for betting purposes, and placing bets on NBA games.
June 3, 2024: Padres` Tucupita Marcano Faces Potential Lifetime Ban
San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano faced a potential lifetime ban from Major League Baseball for betting on the sport. Reports indicated MLB received information that he had wagered on games involving the Pittsburgh Pirates during the previous season while he was a member of their team.
June 4, 2024: MLB Issues Lifetime Ban to Marcano, Suspends Four Others
Major League Baseball declared San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano permanently ineligible for violating the league`s sports betting rules. Additionally, four other minor league players—Michael Kelly (Oakland Athletics pitcher), Jay Groome (Padres pitcher), José Rodríguez (Philadelphia Phillies infielder), and Andrew Saalfrank (Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher)—were suspended for one year for similar violations.
June 14, 2024: MLB Disciplines Umpire Pat Hoberg
MLB umpire Pat Hoberg was disciplined for violating the league`s gambling rules. While the nature of the discipline wasn`t fully specified, Hoberg has denied betting on baseball and is appealing the decision. He has not officiated any games this season.
August 15, 2024: Notre Dame Suspends Men`s Swim Team for Gambling
Notre Dame suspended its men`s swim team for at least one year following an external review. The review found team members violated NCAA rules by betting on the outcomes of their own competitions and failed to maintain expected standards of respect within the team. According to reports, the athletes created an internal sportsbook but did not bet on competitors or other Notre Dame sports.
2025
January 30, 2025: Terry Rozier`s Past Game Play Under Federal Investigation
Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating unusual betting patterns related to the performance of guard Terry Rozier in a Charlotte Hornets game from nearly two years prior. This investigation is linked to the broader probe that resulted in Jontay Porter`s ban. Rozier, now with the Miami Heat, has not been charged or accused of wrongdoing. The NBA previously reviewed the matter at the time and stated no league rules were violated.
February 22, 2025: NCAA, Fresno State Investigate Basketball Players for Betting/Fantasy Issues
Fresno State and the NCAA launched investigations into allegations involving members of the men`s basketball team. Sources indicated junior forward Mykell Robinson and associates placed bets and entered daily fantasy sports contests related to his own performance in Fresno State games, reportedly including wagers on the `under` for his points and rebounds. Unusual betting interest on Robinson`s prop bets was noted by at least one major sportsbook. Robinson was removed from the team roster after a January 11 game. Senior guard Jalen Weaver admitted to ESPN that he played a daily fantasy contest on his own points total in a December 31 game. A third player, sophomore guard Zaon Collins, was held out of a game amid allegations of betting on professional sports. Fresno State confirmed Weaver and Collins were withheld from competition pending an eligibility review.
June 29, 2025: Pistons` Malik Beasley Subject of Federal Gambling Probe
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is reportedly under federal investigation concerning allegations of gambling on NBA games and prop bets. The focus is on his activity during the 2023-24 season while he was with the Milwaukee Bucks.
According to industry sources, at least one major U.S. sportsbook observed unusually high betting interest on Beasley`s statistics starting around January 2024. An example cited is the January 31, 2024 game against the Portland Trail Blazers, where odds for Beasley having under 2.5 rebounds shifted drastically (from +120 to -250) due to a surge in bets on the under. Beasley ultimately recorded six rebounds, resulting in losses for those unusual bets.
Malik Beasley`s attorney, Steve Haney, stated to ESPN, “An investigation is not a charge. 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.”
