The move to legalize sports gambling has brought on some unintended consequences. In the MLB and NBA we have seen players get pinched for fixing bets. In college baseball, an SEC head coach was fired for suspicious activity in a Cincinnati sportsbook. More are likely on the way.
The next could arrive in college basketball.
Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde reported on Thursday that some federal indictments should be arriving soon for a probe that that featured multiple college basketball teams with a focus on “southern schools” in this investigation. These all have a connection to the gambling ring that involved NBA player Jontay Porter.
Federal investigators from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania have advanced their probe of point shaving and game fixing in college basketball, multiple sources tell Sports Illustrated, conducting interviews with players suspected of manipulating their performances for the benefit of gamblers who wagered on their games. The investigation covers multiple regions and teams, sources say, with a current focus on “Southern schools.”
The probe is believed to be heading toward the indictment stage.
Pat Forde (Sports Illustrated)
Jontay Porter helped a few individuals win prop bets while he was with the Toronto Raptors. Those involved would bet the under for specific stats and Porter would fake an injury to guarantee wins for these wagers. An internal investigation by FanDuel and DraftKings ultimately ended in the FBI getting involved. The former Missouri big would ultimately be banned for life from the NBA.
Could something similar happen in college basketball? Forde reports that games involving at least five teams were flagged last season. Meanwhile, there are current open betting investigations involving New Orleans, Eastern Michigan, Mississippi Valley State, and Temple.
A new scandal could rock the college basketball world any day now. Will any of these “southern schools” be big-time programs?
