In the lead-up to Selection Sunday, college basketball faces new scrutiny as two universities have initiated investigations related to gambling activities. Notably, on February 26, college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman reported that four players from the University of New Orleans (UNO) have been benched since late January amidst a gambling investigation. Meanwhile, in California, two Fresno State players were sidelined on February 22 during a similar inquiry.
The investigations come in the shadow of broader concerns about illegal betting, potentially linked to a significant wagering scandal involving Jontay Porter of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, who pleaded guilty in federal court last year for placing illegal bets while manipulating game outcomes to benefit co-conspirators.
According to NOLA.com, UNO's top scorers—James White, Jah Short, Dae Dae Hunter, and Jamond Vincent—have not played since January 27. UNO athletic director Vince Granito confirmed the players' suspension for violating team rules but did not specify further. ESPN reported that UNO’s investigation might relate to bets placed on their games against McNeese State and Southern Louisiana, with significant point spread movements observed in three other games this season.
At Fresno State, Mykell Robinson was removed from the roster in January, while Jalen Weaver was benched this week alongside Zaon Collins, who faces scrutiny for betting on professional sports. Both were absent during a game against Air Force as investigations by the university and the NCAA continue.
In political news, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt remains firm on his sports betting proposal, which he announced in early 2024. His plan would grant tribes exclusive rights to in-person betting while allowing commercial entities to engage in digital wagering. However, this proposal contradicts the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and a recent interpretation of Indian gaming rules, leading to tensions with tribal leaders. The state's tribes have expressed intentions to wait until Stitt's term ends in 2027 to tackle the issue more vigorously. Current legislative proposals include allowing tribes to offer retail sports betting while granting the Oklahoma City Thunder rights to digital wagering. Senate Bill 585 aims to limit mobile platforms to one in the state and proposes that all gaming revenue from the Thunder’s operations be shared with tribal entities engaged in a Model Gaming Compact.
In a related development, Joe Brennan, the founder of Prime Sports, announced on February 23 that he is “stepping away” from the legal sports betting site, emphasizing the need for change within the industry. Brennan expressed concern over the significant amount of wagering still taking place with unregulated operators and plans to gather insights from others in the gambling sector as he seeks to effect change.
On February 21, U.S. Representative Dina Titus from Nevada raised concerns about prediction markets offering sports betting in a letter to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) acting chairwoman Caroline D Pham. She warned that these markets do not provide the same protections as regulated betting platforms, which could undermine state-controlled gaming. Prediction sites like Kalshi and Polymarket have started offering contracts on various sports events, but Titus flagged the risks associated with this trend, suggesting it creates a means to circumvent state regulations.
In New York, the State Gaming Commission appointed Teryl Brown as the newest member of the gaming facility location board on February 24. Brown will play a role in deciding which bids will be awarded licenses for New York's new downstate casinos, taking over from Carlos P Naudon. Commission chair Brian O’Dwyer praised Brown’s extensive experience in public service.
As for Colorado, the Ute tribes face a March 7 deadline to respond to a motion to dismiss their lawsuit against the state regarding digital sports betting. The outcome could significantly impact tribal gaming across the nation. The tribes argue that the state has excluded them from the digital sports betting market, despite having the right to offer in-person sports betting on their reservations.
In other developments, the Ohio Casino Control Commission reported on February 26 that it had seized 184 illegal slot machines during recent raids in Columbus; since its operations began, the OCCC has executed over 160 search warrants and has disabled a total of 7,386 illegal machines. Additionally, FanDuel closed its retail sportsbook at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on February 20, after four years of operation. The company also celebrated the opening of its new office in Newport, New Jersey, on February 27, having operated in the state since 2016 and employing over 400 individuals there.
