Kayshon Boutte, a New England Patriots wide receiver, was arrested on charges related to illegal online gaming.[1] These supposedly occurred while Boutte was underage and playing at Louisiana State University.[2] Boutte created an online betting account under a fake name and placed almost 9,000 illegal bets.[3] About 17 of these bets were on NCAA football games, and 6 of them were on his own Louisiana State University football team.[4] An arrest affidavit states that 2 of the bets that were for his own team are believed to be games that Boutte played in.[5] Gambling is not legal until the age of 21, and Boutte was not yet that age. It is believed that Boutte’s betting led to $500,000+ in earnings, which would then be circulated back to create more bets.
Boutte is currently on the Patriots active roster and played in 5 games this past season.[6] Boutte surrendered to police and was charged with a felony count of computer fraud and a misdemeanor count of gaming prohibited for persons under 21.[7] He was later released after posting $6,000 bond. Computer fraud carries a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison term of 5 years or less, while illegal gambling carries a fine of up to $1,000 and 6 months in jail.
Fan Duel contacted LSU police, informing them of a possible prohibited athlete making sports wagers. Boutte used the name of a fake female to create the Fan Duel account, and then used his mother’s credit card for the funds.[8] According to the warrant, all of these bets were made between August 28, 2022, and October 9, 2023.[9] The warrant also states that there was a total of $132,147.53 deposited into the account, a winning of $556,267.58, but as previously stated that money was circulated back, and $50,282.36 was withdrawn from the account.[10]
The NFL has strict betting rules applicable to players. The original rule was NFL personnel, which includes league-office employees, team employees, players, owners, coaches, trainers, officials, security, and stadium workers, among others, are prohibited from “placing, soliciting or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party,” on any NFL game, practice, or other league event, such as the draft or combine. After the PAPSA decision in 2018, there was an exemption that players could bet on sports other than the NFL. Early in the 2023 season, the NFL tightened its rules. Under the new policy, as disclosed in a memo from Commissioner Roger Goodell, a player who places a bet involving his own team will be suspended for at least 2 years. Bets placed by players on any NFL game will result in at least a 1-year suspension.[11] Betting on non-NFL sports while at a team facility or on team-related travel will now result in a 2-game suspension for a first violation, 6 games for a second violation and at least 1 year for a third.[12]
Although this bet was made by Boutte while he was in the NCAA and it is a NCAA and Louisiana Police investigation currently, the NFL has regulations on prohibited gambling, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out and whether or not Boutte will receive a punishment from the NFL as well.
[1] https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-wr-kayshon-boutte-charged-in-illegal-sports-gaming-scheme
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38521972/nfl-toughens-bets-own-team-new-gambling-policy
[12] Id.
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