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A vast and intricate betting scheme targeting NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games has led to charges against 26 individuals, including over a dozen college basketball players who allegedly conspired to manipulate game outcomes as recently as last season. Federal authorities unveiled the details of this extensive operation on Thursday, revealing how fixers lured players with promises of substantial payments in exchange for deliberately poor performances.
Scheme Overview
According to the indictment, the fixers initiated their efforts by successfully manipulating two games in the CBA in 2023. Following their initial success, they expanded their operations to NCAA games, with evidence of foul play surfacing as late as January 2025. The amounts offered to players ranged from £8,000 to £24,000 per game, reflecting the high stakes involved in this illicit activity.
Four of the players implicated—Simeon Cottle, Carlos Hart, Oumar Koureissi, and Camian Shell—have continued to participate in recent games, although the allegations do not pertain to their performances this season. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf characterised the scandal as an “international criminal conspiracy,” indicating a profound breach of sports integrity.
Growing Concerns Over Gambling in Sports
The increase in sports betting, particularly since the U.S. Supreme Court abolished a federal ban in 2018, has raised alarms within the NCAA and broader sporting community. While the NCAA maintains strict prohibitions against athletes and staff wagering on college games, the association briefly allowed student-athletes to gamble on professional sports in 2022, a decision that was quickly rescinded in November.
This latest scandal casts a long shadow over collegiate sports, as 15 of the defendants were actively playing for NCAA Division 1 teams during the 2024-25 season, with several continuing to compete this current season. This has sparked intense scrutiny over the integrity of collegiate athletics, particularly as the NCAA grapples with a rising number of gambling-related investigations.
Profile of the Accused
Among those charged are a mix of players and alleged fixers, with five players having participated in NCAA competitions as recently as the 2023-24 season. Additionally, former NBA player Antonio Blakeney is noted for his involvement in the CBA during the 2022-23 season. The fixers include individuals with backgrounds in player training and development, as well as those identified as gamblers, influencers, and sports handicappers.
Notably, many of the bets placed by the accused on these manipulated games proved successful, resulting in payouts from sportsbooks that would never have occurred had the integrity of the games been upheld. The indictment highlights that unaware bettors also suffered losses, a consequence of the deceitful nature of this conspiracy.
Legal Repercussions and Broader Impact
The charges filed in Philadelphia encompass bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations. This scandal is part of a larger trend, as the sports world continues to grapple with the implications of gambling. Notably, the American Gaming Association reported that betting revenue exceeded £8.5 billion in the first three quarters of last year, marking a 13 per cent increase from the previous year.
This indictment follows a series of NCAA investigations that resulted in at least ten players receiving lifetime bans this year due to their involvement in gambling activities, including bets that involved their own teams. Moreover, the NCAA has disclosed that over 30 players are currently under investigation for similar allegations.
Why it Matters
This betting scandal underscores a critical moment in the landscape of collegiate sports, where the intersection of gambling and competition raises profound ethical concerns. As the integrity of sports continues to be tested amid the rising tide of legalised betting, the repercussions of this scandal could have far-reaching effects on policy, athlete conduct, and public trust in sports institutions. The outcome of these proceedings may prompt a reevaluation of regulations governing sports betting and its impact on the integrity of athletic competitions worldwide.
