Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 16, 2026
A federal probe has uncovered a wide-ranging betting scandal implicating 26 individuals, including NCAA basketball players, in rigging games within college sports. The investigation reveals gamblers bribing players to underperform, allowing them to profit from manipulated outcomes. Notable figures charged include former NBA player Antonio Blakeney and current NCAA athletes. As the NCAA conducts its own investigations into other athletes, the scandal raises significant questions about the integrity of sports gambling in America.
Federal Investigation Unveils Major Betting Scandal Involving NCAA Players
A widespread gambling scheme has emerged, bringing to light issues within college sports.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A federal investigation has revealed a sweeping betting scheme involving 26 individuals, which includes over a dozen NCAA basketball players implicated in rigging NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games. Terms like “international criminal conspiracy” aptly describe this elaborate operation that commenced in 2023 with two CBA games and has since expanded to include at least 29 NCAA games through January 2025. The charges being proffered against the accused involve bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy, with bribes ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
This investigation uncovers a disturbing trend of gamblers orchestrating the recruitment of players to intentionally underperform. This unethical act allows gamblers to place bets against those players’ teams, profiting from the manipulated outcomes. Payments, often made in cash, were hand-delivered by fixers following a successfully rigged game. The fixers gambled millions, securing substantial earnings for themselves, while distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to the involved players.
Key Players in the Investigation
Notable figures among those charged include former NBA player Antonio Blakeney and current NCAA players Simeon Cottle of Kennesaw State and Carlos Hart of Eastern Michigan. It is particularly concerning that four charged players—Cottle, Hart, Oumar Koureissi, and Camian Shell—played in recent games despite the allegations not involving this current season. The investigation is ongoing, indicating that more individuals may be identified as involved.
NCAA Response and Broader Implications
The NCAA is actively conducting sports-betting investigations into 40 athletes across 20 schools, which has resulted in multiple permanent ineligibilities. Noteworthy cases include players from Fresno State, San Jose State, Temple, and San Francisco. NCAA President Charlie Baker has emphasized the organization’s commitment to uphold integrity in college sports amid these alarming developments.
Contextualizing the Scandal
This scandal is not an isolated incident but part of a growing series of controversies linked to sports gambling following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed legal betting to expand nationwide. Historically, the NCAA has prohibited athletes and staff from betting on college games, but the rise of legal sports gambling has introduced new complexities in maintaining the integrity of college athletics.
What’s Next?
The unfolding drama surrounding this betting scheme raises critical questions about regulatory frameworks and the future of collegiate sports in a rapidly changing environment, where the balance between maintaining integrity and fostering economic innovation through sports betting becomes increasingly tenuous.
Encouraging Local Support and Involvement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the scope of the betting scheme uncovered in Philadelphia?
The scheme involved 26 individuals, including over a dozen NCAA basketball players, accused of rigging games in both the NCAA and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The operation began in 2023 with two CBA games and expanded to at least 29 NCAA games through January 2025. The charges include bribery, wire fraud, and conspiracy, with bribes ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
How did the gamblers profit from this scheme?
The gamblers recruited players to intentionally underperform in exchange for bribes, allowing the gamblers to place bets against the players’ teams and profit from the outcomes. Payments to players were typically made in cash, hand-delivered by the fixers after a game was successfully rigged. The fixers wagered millions of dollars, generating substantial proceeds for themselves, and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to players in bribes.
Who are some of the individuals charged in this scheme?
Among those charged are former NBA player Antonio Blakeney and current NCAA players such as Simeon Cottle of Kennesaw State and Carlos Hart of Eastern Michigan. Four of the charged players—Cottle, Hart, Oumar Koureissi, and Camian Shell—played for their current teams in the last few days, although the allegations against them do not involve this season. The investigation remains ongoing, with more individuals possibly involved.
What actions is the NCAA taking in response to this scandal?
The NCAA has confirmed it is conducting sports-betting investigations into 40 athletes at 20 schools, resulting in multiple permanent ineligibilities. High-profile cases include players from Fresno State, San Jose State, Temple, and San Francisco. NCAA President Charlie Baker emphasized ongoing enforcement efforts to uphold integrity in college sports.
How does this scandal relate to the broader context of sports gambling?
This case adds to a growing list of sports gambling scandals following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that expanded legal betting nationwide. The NCAA has long prohibited athletes and staff from betting on college games, but the rise of legal sports betting has presented new challenges in maintaining the integrity of college athletics.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Individuals Charged | 26 |
| Number of NCAA Players Involved | Over a dozen |
| Number of NCAA Games Affected | At least 29 |
| Bribe Amounts per Game | $10,000 to $30,000 |
| Start of Scheme | 2023 with two CBA games |
| Expansion to NCAA Games | Through January 2025 |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
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