A sportsbook worker was involved with NCAA basketball players and illicit prop bets, according to the NCAA.
On Sept. 10, 2025, the NCAA announced a ban on three basketball players related to “under” prop bets on statistical performances. In documents released publicly, the NCAA said a “sportsbook trader” was involved in the scheme.
The NCAA did not name the sportsbook where the trader worked. A sportsbook trader is someone who manages odds and lines for a betting operator.
The NCAA also did not specify whether the sportsbook worker was with a brick-and-mortar sportsbook or a betting app. According to the NCAA, a “Nevada sportsbook operator” had “flagged” suspicious wagering. Nevada has betting apps and in-person sportsbooks.
Allegations Against NCAA Players
The athletes named in the NCAA announcement were Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez, and Jalen Weaver. All have been barred from further competition.
They competed for Fresno State and San Jose State.
The investigation found that they bet on their own games, one another’s games, and/or provided information that enabled gamblers to do so during the 2024-25 regular season.
The amount involved in the three-player scandal was relatively low. According to the NCAA, a low five-figure sum was paid in improper gambling winnings.
Sportsbook Worker Part of NCAA Scandal
It’s unclear exactly how the sportsbook worker was involved in the scheme.
Here’s what the NCAA said about a basketball game on Jan. 7, 2025:
“Vasquez and a sportsbook trader bet $1,200 on Robinson’s under-line to win $8,700. During the game, Robinson altered his performance, with three points scored, two rebounds, one three-pointer, and no assists, to ensure the under-line bets won. After the game, Vasquez transferred a total of $1,625 to Robinson via Robinson’s mother, which included $1,425 won from Robinson’s $200 bet Vasquez made on Robinson’s behalf and an additional $200 from Vasquez’s own bet winnings.”
In total, the NCAA said, $2,200 in bets on the game resulted in payouts of $15,950.
According to the NCAA, Weaver was involved in illicit betting on himself in a different game. In its documents, the NCAA didn’t mention a sportsbook worker’s involvement in Weaver’s case.
Will We Know More About the Sportsbook Worker?
Gambling violations by Robinson, Vasquez, and Weaver are serious. So is the involvement of an employee at a sportsbook.
The NCAA probably knows the trader’s name, but it doesn’t have authority over gambling law and regulation in Nevada.
It’s unclear if criminal charges could stem from the NCAA investigation.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board, which regulates sports gambling in the state, has not publicly commented as of publication.
The low amount of money involved in the scandal suggests the alleged incident did not involve senior management at the sportsbook in question.
The sportsbook worker could have sought quick cash with inside NCAA basketball information.
Was Gambling Addiction Involved?
Sports betting addiction has increased in the U.S. since online sports betting expanded to over 30 states in recent years.
The NCAA didn’t mention gambling addiction as part of its announcement of the prop betting scandal involving the players and the sportsbook worker.
It’s unclear whether the three student-athletes have an addiction to sports betting. Still, one of the core signs of a gambling addiction is betting despite the harm it causes.
One of the diagnostic criteria for a gambling addiction is jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
The aforementioned athletes jeopardized quite a bit to gamble. The relatively low-stakes bets were not going to result in a life-changing amount of money.
Image credit: favoritesunfl from Pixabay
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