US Prosecutors Charge 26 in College Basketball Betting Ring
Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia say they have dismantled a betting operation that allegedly paid basketball players to subtly influence games by missing point spreads, while wagers were placed through legal, regulated sportsbooks.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced charges against 26 individuals on January 15, describing what it alleges was a long-running scheme that began in China’s professional basketball league before expanding into Division I men’s college basketball in the United States.
Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf stressed that the case goes beyond gambling violations, framing it as a threat to sporting integrity. “The stakes here are far higher than anything on a bet slip,” he said.
Focus on the spread, not the final score
According to prosecutors, the operation centred on point shaving, recruiting players to deliberately underperform just enough for their teams to fail to cover betting spreads, even when games were still won outright.
Authorities allege organisers relied on in-person meetings and continuous digital communication to identify and manage cooperating players, before placing wagers that prosecutors say totalled millions of dollars.
Court filings claim the alleged scheme touched more than 39 players across at least 17 Division I programs, with over 29 games either fixed or targeted.
Origins in China’s professional league
Prosecutors say the network first emerged around September 2022, when alleged fixers began offering bribes to players competing in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to influence outcomes against the spread.
Investigators also allege links to former NBA player Antonio Blakeney, who was playing in China at the time. Court documents claim that after the CBA season concluded, nearly $200,000 in cash tied to bribes and betting proceeds was stored in a Florida unit associated with Blakeney.
From there, authorities say the operation shifted to the U.S., expanding into NCAA basketball during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
Impact on regulated betting markets
Prosecutors emphasised that the alleged objective was to exploit legal sports betting products, including full-game and first-half spreads, placing wagers across regulated platforms while deceiving sportsbooks and other bettors.
Officials also pointed to the expansion of legal sports betting as a factor that made it easier to distribute wagers across multiple operators, reducing the risk of detection.
At the DOJ briefing, FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey said the investigation, led out of Philadelphia, spanned nearly two years. He warned: “To those who choose corruption and betrayal: we will find you.”
Philadelphia FBI Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs echoed the message, stating plainly: “There is nowhere to hide.”
Alleged bribes and NIL-related pressure
According to prosecutors, players were allegedly offered between $10,000 and $30,000 per game, amounts that could rival or exceed legitimate Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) earnings for some athletes.
Authorities highlighted this as a key vulnerability in regulated betting markets, noting that younger athletes with limited income potential may be targeted more easily, particularly in lower-profile games that still attract significant betting volume.
Potential penalties
The DOJ said the charges include bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud, and conspiracy. Prosecutors noted that a bribery count carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while wire fraud and conspiracy charges can result in sentences of up to 20 years per count, along with additional financial penalties.
