Shortly after the recent NCAA gambling scandal that resulted in the permanent ineligibility of three men’s basketball players[1], the NCAA is investigating thirteen players from six different schools for their involvement in gambling schemes. The players attended Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T, and Mississippi Valley State. Their names have not been released, but they no longer attend the schools where the violations occurred. These violations include betting against their own teams, manipulating games, and sharing inside information with third parties for gambling purposes.[2]
NCAA President Charlie Baker stated, “The rise of sports betting is creating more opportunities for athletes across sports to engage in this unacceptable behavior, and while legalized sports betting is here to stay, regulators and gaming companies can do more to reduce these integrity risks by eliminating prop bets and giving sports leagues a seat at the table when setting policies.”[3]
As I watched Sunday football, I was alarmed by the large number of sports betting commercials. While it has become easier for athletes to engage in prohibited behavior, the heavy advertising of sports betting makes it even more attractive. These ads include famous people, Kevin Hart for example, using their platform to influence potentially vulnerable audiences to gamble. It is important for the NCAA to closely monitor these violations. As the NCAA continues to investigate athletes for alleged sports betting violations—and as those violations are publicized—it will hopefully deter others from engaging in similar prohibited behavior.
There is also a federal investigation into betting accounts connected to a gambling ring that allegedly placed suspicious wagers against the schools mentioned above over the past two seasons. This gambling ring may potentially be tied to an NBA betting scandal involving former player Jontay Porter.[4]
The growing number of sports betting scandals threatens the integrity of the game, especially when players manipulate outcomes to secure their bets. Violations of sports betting rules should result in harsh sanctions to prevent future misconduct of the same nature. The recent investigations that led to the permanent ineligibility of three basketball players will, hopefully, serve as a strong deterrent for athletes considering sports betting.
[1] San Jose State and Fresno State Basketball Players Permanently Ineligible for Betting on their own Games
[2] David Purdum, NCAA: 13 players from 6 schools involved in gambling schemes, ESPN (September 11, 2025)
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
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