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In recent times, the connection between college athletics and sports betting has come under close scrutiny. Every headline seems to attract the attention of both the media and the general public, who are closely examining the matter.
Opponents of legal sports betting have been given extra ammunition and are sounding the alarm due to the recent gambling scandals in Alabama and Iowa.
Shortly after the American Gaming Association and elected officials shifted their focus towards collaborations between sportsbooks and universities, as well as sports betting advertising in general, this development emerged.
The industry may seem under attack for those involved in it. However, it is undeniable that the regulated gambling industry has played a significant role in exposing these issues.
However, it would be wise to pause and evaluate the extent to which the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting, along with its accompanying marketing strategies, may have played a role in causing this situation.
Given the current circumstances, it is imperative for Michigan State and Caesars to publicly sever their partnership, even though it seems that this shift was already underway before these scandals came to light. It is not a scandalous move, but rather a necessary step in light of the prevailing environment.
What happened with Alabama and Iowa college betting scandals
In the final days of April, a sportsbook surveillance system at the esteemed Great American Ballpark reportedly recorded an individual engaging with Brad Bohannon, the baseball coach of Alabama. This bettor was observed placing two wagers on LSU emerging victorious over Alabama.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission received an alert and promptly suspended all betting on Alabama baseball games. Additionally, there were reports of questionable actions related to the game taking place in Indiana.
Bohannon’s termination has taken place while the university and authorities conduct an investigation.
Gambling allegations have sparked an investigation into multiple student athletes affiliated with both Iowa and Iowa State, as news broke on Monday.
Although there is limited public knowledge regarding these allegations, the University of Iowa’s statement referenced potential criminal behavior and hinted at potential NCAA rule violations.
Dealing with college-aged students opens up the possibility of various activities, such as underage betting or proxy betting.
There is a broad spectrum of possible violations as the NCAA strictly prohibits athletes from engaging in any form of gambling, including fantasy sports leagues that involve entry fees.
In conclusion, it is currently impossible to determine the truth, and any assumptions regarding the involvement of game integrity would be purely speculative.
Regulated industry has been able to root out college gambling scandals
If the markets in Ohio and Iowa were not regulated, these scandals would probably not have been discovered, or at least not in such a timely manner.
That is a positive.
In a regulated market, protective measures are implemented to enhance the detection of suspicious activity or underage gambling.
While I wouldn’t go as far as to label it a complete triumph for the regulated sports betting industry, it is definitely an achievement that the unregulated and offshore markets would have missed out on.
Betting on college baseball is legal, but should it be?
However, we must face the fact that this occurred within markets that are regulated.
To clarify, the revelation of two distinct incidents within a short period of time does not necessarily indicate a crisis. There is no need to initiate any closures or shutdowns.
Perhaps we should consider examining what is being offered.
While it may be impossible to completely eradicate all forms of risk, opting to permit betting on smaller events with participants and coaches who do not earn substantial incomes undeniably increases the likelihood of inviting more risks.
While baseball in the SEC holds significance, the attention garnered by the Alabama-LSU football game surpasses it significantly. Additionally, Bohannon’s salary is notably lower compared to that of Nick Saban.
Michigan online sportsbooks benefit from promoting unique markets, but they should be cautious as delving into more obscure options increases the likelihood of encountering problems.
Is college baseball within the boundaries or does it exceed them? Additionally, without singling out baseball, why do we permit betting on the Northwoods Baseball League, a summer league specifically for college athletes?
I am not insinuating that any of them are manipulated, or that players and coaches would prioritize a small bet over their on-field achievements. However, considering recent events, it may be beneficial to pause and reconsider if it is even necessary to introduce the potential for such situations.
Michigan State needs to publicly end Caesars deal
Colleges must thoroughly examine their approach to sports betting on their campuses, without exception.
The primary focus of big-time college athletics is profit-making. Despite the NCAA emphasizing the importance of being a student-athlete, its actions consistently prioritize money above all else.
With the rapid growth of the online sports betting industry, it came as no surprise that several programs across the country forged partnerships with sportsbooks, despite certain evident concerns.
The unraveling of these situations has occurred only in recent times. Colorado successfully terminated its agreement with PointsBet, while the Maryland legislature passed a bill effectively prohibiting similar deals, thereby putting an end to the University of Maryland’s partnership with PointsBet.
The agreement between Michigan State and Caesars is still in existence, or at least there has been no public announcement declaring its termination.
According to a recent column by Chris Vannini of the Athletic, who is an alum of MSU, the separation between the school and the Caesars deal is underway, with the removal of Caesars signage.
Weeks ago, the athletic department informed Playinmichigan that they were looking into a petition filed by a professor on campus, showing credit to their proactive stance on the matter.
Michigan State does not have complete control over the matter since it involves a third party marketing firm called PlayFly Sports. I contacted PlayFly on Monday for a comment but did not receive any response.
MSU is not implicated in any of these recent college betting scandals. However, they can seize this moment to publicly announce the termination of the deal.
We express our gratitude to Caesars for their partnership and extend our acknowledgement of the present circumstances. We are dedicated to providing education to our students regarding responsible gambling, as well as offering support to individuals facing challenges with gambling addiction.
This fix is both simple and timely, making it necessary.
