The sports betting industry is one of the largest industries in the United States, with a revenue of around thirteen billion dollars. Betting on NCAA Basketball is a large part of the industry. Sports betting needs to be regulated so that players or coaches participating in the event being bet on cannot easily control outcomes. By giving those affiliated with the event the power to alter circumstances to favor a bet, athletes, coaches, and entire programs can be bribed and corrupted through bribery and rigging schemes. Additionally, people who place their bets legally can lose large amounts of money by betting on outcomes that could be rigged.
Many sports betting services offer Proposition Bets or Player Props that can have thousands of dollars per better riding on a small decision made by an athlete or coach. Leaving it up to players and coaches to make changes to their decisions that may not impact the outcome of the game, but will earn them a lot of money, takes away the opportunity for athletes to truly compete without any outside influences. It also takes away the opportunity for bettors to have a fair bet.
In February of 2024, players on DePaul University’s basketball team were found to be involved in a point shaving scheme. Point shaving is a strategy used by perpetrators to try and intentionally change the score of the game without changing the outcome. The players, Mac Etienne, Jalen Terry, and Da’Sean Nelson, agreed with a “fixer” to purposefully underperform in the first half of a game against Georgetown University. A fixer is someone who makes agreements with those participating in an event to perform a certain way and then places or advises bets on that action. Fixing games can be punishable with large fines and federal imprisonment.
An article published by WTTW News said, “The ‘fixers’ allegedly placed approximately $27,000 in wagers with sportsbooks on Georgetown to cover the first-half spread of 2.5 points. Georgetown took a 41-28 lead at half, allowing the fixers to win their bets.” Through illegal bribes and persuasion, the fixers were able to manipulate the players to perform in such a way, destroying the fairness of the game itself and of the bet.
This particular scheme was brought into the light, but not all scandals like it have been revealed, and there are still many fixers attempting to rig games for their benefit.
Betting on point spreads and player props is a common practice but it is harmful not only to the integrity of the sport but to the bettor as well. An anonymous Miramonte student said, “I use Underdog Fantasy and Prizepicks as my main two apps to sports bet on. I typically bet on player props such as a player scoring a specific amount of points or rebounds…I have seen players make plays that can ruin my bet.” This same student also said, “I have lost a total of 400 dollars on sports gambling.” Through these methods of gambling, this student has lost money betting on actions made by players that can easily be manipulated by athletes, coaches, and fixers, and may not even impact the outcome of the game itself. Intentionally rigging bets like these takes away the integrity of the betting and the sport itself.
