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US Sports Betting Scandals of 2024
The popularity of regulated sports betting surged across the United States in 2024, but with it came a wave of gambling-related scandals that rocked professional and amateur sports. Athletes, team officials, and league personnel faced serious repercussions for violations, raising questions about integrity and the growing influence of betting. From baseball to basketball and college athletics, here’s a look back at the key events that defined a turbulent year for US sports.
Major League Baseball’s Integrity Under Fire
In 2024, Major League Baseball (MLB) faced multiple scandals involving athletes, staff, and even umpires.
The year’s most high-profile case involved National League MVP Shohei Ohtani, whose former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was caught siphoning $16 million from Ohtani’s account to cover gambling debts. Mizuhara placed nearly 19,000 illegal bets after altering Ohtani’s bank account settings and later pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges.
MLB also made headlines with lifetime bans and suspensions. Tucupita Marcano, a former San Diego Padres player, was banned for placing over $150,000 in bets, including wagers on MLB games. In the minor leagues, four players received one-year suspensions for gambling violations, while umpire Pat Hoberg faced disciplinary action for breaking the league’s gambling rules.
NBA Scandal Ends in a Lifetime Ban
The NBA was not immune to controversy in 2024. Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban for providing insider information to co-conspirators to settle his gambling debts. The group reportedly profited over $1.2 million through suspicious wagers, prompting investigations by the NBA and the International Betting Integrity Association.
Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison. His actions marked one of the most significant gambling scandals in NBA history, highlighting the risks of insider betting in professional sports.
College Sports in the Spotlight
The integrity of collegiate athletics also came under scrutiny. A former Georgia football staffer was dismissed for violating NCAA rules by betting on professional sports. Meanwhile, former Temple University basketball player Hysier Miller became the subject of an FBI investigation after suspicious betting activity was flagged before a March game. The incident led sportsbooks to halt betting on the game entirely, further fuelling concerns about the influence of gambling in college sports.
Gambling Controversy in the NFL
Even the NFL found itself entangled in gambling-related issues. Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar filed a lawsuit after being removed from a pregame show for placing a $19,000 bet at a charity event. Kosar accused his former employer, BIGPLAY, of wrongful termination, claiming he was coerced into making the wager.
Protecting Integrity in the Era of Sports Betting
The scandals of 2024 underscored the dual-edged nature of sports betting’s rise in the United States. While the industry generated over $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue in Q3 alone, it also highlighted the need for strict oversight and integrity measures. As sports betting continues to grow, maintaining trust and fairness within professional and amateur sports will remain a critical challenge.
