Sports Betting Scandals Over the Years
A comprehensive timeline tracking sports betting scandals, suspensions, arrests, and lifetime bans since the 2018 PASPA repeal.
On May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, opening the door for legal sports betting across America. Since then, 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have launched legal betting markets, with over $330 billion wagered. But with this growth has come increased controversies and scandals.
2018
May 14, 2018: Supreme Court Strikes Down PASPA
The United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, ending a nearly six-year legal battle and opening the door for state-authorized sports gambling nationwide.
2019
Nov. 29, 2019: NFL Suspends Josh Shaw
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Josh Shaw became the first active NFL player suspended for betting on league games. He bet openly at a Las Vegas sportsbook against his own team as part of a parlay wager.
2020
Sept. 8, 2020: Colorado Signs PointsBet Deal
University of Colorado signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Denver-based PointsBet, permitting the sports betting operator to display signs at the football stadium and basketball arena.
2021
May 26, 2021: First Arena Sportsbook Opens
Capital One Arena in Washington became the first professional sports arena in the U.S. with a fully operational sportsbook, operated by William Hill.
Oct. 8, 2021: Felipe Hernandez Suspended
Sporting KC's Felipe Hernandez was found to have engaged in "extensive and unlawful sports gambling" including betting on MLS games, accumulating significant gambling debts.
2022
March 7, 2022: Calvin Ridley Suspended
Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for at least one year after gambling on NFL games during a five-day stretch in November 2021, including multi-leg parlays featuring the Falcons to win.
Dec. 23, 2022: Miles Austin Suspended
New York Jets wide receivers coach Miles Austin was suspended for one year for gambling on sports (not NFL games), violating the NFL personnel gambling policy.
2023
March 29, 2023: Colorado Ends PointsBet Partnership
University of Colorado and PointsBet ended their partnership three years early, one day after the American Gaming Association released revised guidelines against sportsbook-college partnerships.
April 21, 2023: Five NFL Players Suspended
Detroit Lions players Quintez Cephus, C.J. Moore, and Washington's Shaka Toney were indefinitely suspended for betting on NFL games. Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill received six-game suspensions for mobile betting at the Lions' facility.
May 4, 2023: Alabama Fires Brad Bohannon
Alabama fired head baseball coach Brad Bohannon after suspicious wagering activity was detected before an Alabama-LSU game. Federal prosecutors alleged he communicated with bettors who then wagered against Alabama.
May 8, 2023: Iowa-Iowa State Gambling Investigation
More than three dozen athletes across baseball, football, basketball, track and field, and wrestling, plus one athletic department employee, were suspected of violating NCAA gambling rules.
Oct. 26, 2023: Shane Pinto Suspended 41 Games
Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto was suspended for violating the NHL's sports wagering policy after his online gambling account was flagged for unusual activity.
2024
March 20, 2024: Shohei Ohtani Interpreter Fired
Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, amid allegations of "massive theft" stemming from gambling debts. At least $4.5 million in wire transfers were sent from Ohtani's account to an illegal bookmaking operation.
April 17, 2024: NBA Bans Jontay Porter for Life
Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban after the NBA found he disclosed confidential information to bettors, limited his participation in games for betting purposes, and bet on NBA games.
June 4, 2024: MLB Lifetime Ban for Marcano
San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was permanently banned for betting on baseball, including games involving his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Four other players received one-year suspensions.
Aug. 15, 2024: Notre Dame Suspends Men's Swim Team
Notre Dame suspended its men's swim team for at least one year after finding members violated NCAA rules by wagering on the results of their own competitions through an internal team sportsbook.
2025
Jan. 30, 2025: Terry Rozier Under Investigation
Federal prosecutors began investigating unusual betting patterns surrounding Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier's play in a 2023 game when he was with the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier has not been charged with any crime.
July 3, 2025: Luis Ortiz Investigation
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz was placed on administrative leave after a betting-integrity firm flagged unusual gambling activity on a pair of his pitches.
July 28, 2025: Emmanuel Clase Investigation
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was placed on nondisciplinary paid leave as part of MLB's ongoing sports gambling investigation, the second Guardians pitcher caught up in the inquiry.
Sept. 10, 2025: Fresno State Gambling Scheme
The NCAA permanently banned three Fresno State basketball players for conspiring in a gambling scheme. Mykell Robinson and Steven Vasquez wagered on Robinson to underperform, winning $15,950 on $2,200 in bets.
Oct. 23, 2025: Rozier and Billups Arrested
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among 34 people arrested in a yearslong investigation covering 11 states and involving tens of millions of dollars. Rozier is accused of using private insider NBA information, while Billups allegedly rigged underground poker games backed by Mafia families.
The Impact
As legal sports betting continues to expand across the United States, the visibility of betting activities has increased, helping spot anomalies and suspicious patterns. However, incidents persist, ranging from players betting on their own games to elaborate schemes involving insider information.
With California and Texas—the two largest states—yet to legalize sports betting, the market has significant room for growth. As betting interest from the public shows no signs of slowing, one thing remains certain: there will be more controversies ahead.