Former Basketball Players Fail to Cooperate with Sports Betting Investigation: NCAA

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Earlier this month, the NCAA reported two former North Carolina A&T men’s basketball players did not cooperate with an investigation into potential sports betting violations — meaning the athletes are now ineligible to play. The NCAA notes that both men are no longer members of the school’s basketball program and are not currently competing in NCAA sports.

We have written before about how sports betting corrupts athletic programs and puts student-athletes at risk of harassment and bribery.

The national experiment with sports gambling has been a disaster for individuals and families, but it is also undermining athletic programs nationwide.

When gambling is introduced, fans have a financial stake in the game, and athletes have an incentive to change how they play. Officials may be tempted to cheat, and fans forget why they enjoyed sports in the first place. All of that is a problem.

The NCAA has opened investigations into dozens of student-athletes at multiple schools over the past couple of years. Players allegedly conspire to help each other win bets by underperforming in games.

Federal prosecutors recently announced indictments against 26 people in connection with an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix NCAA basketball games. One of the defendants has plead guilty to bribery and wire fraud in that case.

Sports betting is now legal in more than 30 states, and Arkansans wagered an average of nearly $1.8 million on it every day last year. That kind of gambling ruins lives, tears families apart, and hurts communities.

In February, the Arkansas Racing Commission approved sportsbook license applications by FanDuel and DraftKings — meaning the state will likely see more sports betting in the months to come.

Sports betting promises entertainment and easy money, but it isn’t a harmless pastime. As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect its citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more people in our state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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A Christian Reflection on the Dangers of Sports Betting

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In recent years, sports betting has expanded across America, and it’s mostly been promoted as harmless entertainment — or even an easy source of state tax revenue. But a growing body of research shows sports betting carries serious social costs. Christians need to understand what is at stake when it comes to gambling on sports.

The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that “the rate of gambling problems among sports bettors is at least twice as high as among gamblers in general.” When sports gambling is conducted online, that rate is goes higher.

Sports betting also hurts communities. Research has shown a strong connection between gambling problems and higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Families often suffer when a loved one is ensnared by gambling problems. That’s bad for everybody.

Scripture warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Sports betting thrives on greed.

Christians have a responsibility to care about our neighbors enough to oppose sports betting and the harm that it causes. We also need to promote contentment, integrity, and holy living. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more innocent people in our communities.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Nearly Half of NCAA Basketball Players Harassed by Sports Bettors: Report

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A recent NCAA study found that 46% of Division I men’s basketball players reported harassment from bettors on social media.

NCAA President Charlie Baker has urged state gambling commissions to eliminate player prop bets and other high-risk bets that target student-athletes. When gamblers miss their bets, they often blame the athletes.

In a statement, Baker said, “The level of social media harassment our student-athletes must endure is unacceptable. These percentages are a reflection of the increased popularity of betting on college sports across the country, and the negative environment it has created. We must continue to do everything we can to protect athletes from this type of behavior and preserve the integrity of college sports.”

We have written before about how sports betting corrupts athletic programs and puts student-athletes at risk of harassment, bribery, and exploitation.

When gambling is introduced, fans have a financial stake in the game, and athletes have an incentive to change how they play. Officials may be tempted to cheat, and fans forget why they enjoyed sports in the first place. All of that is a problem.

Federal prosecutors recently announced major indictments in college sports betting corruption against 26 people in connection with an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix NCAA basketball games.

The NCAA itself has opened investigations into dozens of student-athletes at multiple schools over the past couple of years. Players allegedly conspire to help each other win bets by underperforming in games.

At the professional level, MLB players have been accused of rigging pitches to defraud sports betting platforms. The NFL and the NBA have also dealt with corruption and scandals tied to sports betting.

Sports betting promises entertainment and easy money, but it isn’t a harmless pastime. As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more people in our state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE