Two Mississippi State football players violated the NCAA’s gambling policy earlier this year by trading on NFL and NBA sports contracts using Kalshi, the Clarion Ledger reports, citing an obtained document.
Key Takeaways
- The two unnamed players traded Kalshi contracts on the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game.
- The NCAA considers the infractions to be lower level.
- The two players spent around $70 total.
The players' names were redacted, and the two Bulldogs faced what the NCAA deemed Level III infractions, which do not result in a suspension or loss of eligibility.
While Kalshi is available in Mississippi, the NCAA prohibits players and staff from wagering on any sports, including through prediction market operators. College sports’ governing body considered altering the rule to allow players to wager on professional sports last fall, but the policy change failed after it received backlash from conference commissioners and coaches.
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Player infractions
One of the unnamed players purchased a $50 contract on Super Bowl LX, picking the Patriots to beat the Seahawks, which lost when Seattle won 29-13. Integrity Compliance 360’s ProhiBet, a sports betting tracking technology used by the NCAA, flagged the contract and notified the school.
The player disclosed his use of Kalshi on Feb. 17 and said it was the only time he had violated the NCAA's gambling policy, which the school confirmed by checking his account.
That player received education and no further discipline. ProhiBet flagged the second unnamed player for using Kalshi to trade on the NBA All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest.
The player made two $10 trades and won one for a $64 payout when Damian Lillard won the shooting contest. The other contract was for certain words the announcer would say, which lost. The school was notified, and Mississippi State’s compliance office met two days later with the player, who said it’s the only trades or bets he placed. He donated $66.47 to charity and completed educational programming.
Other NCAA betting issues
This is one of a growing number of cases in which college athletes have violated the NCAA's gambling policy since the 2018 repeal of PASPA paved the way for states to legalize sports betting. Many infractions, like this one, have come with light penalties, but there have also been some major scandals in recent months.
Former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby was caught in May after placing thousands of bets, some while underage, and even wagered on his own team. The violation resulted in permanent ineligibility, which Sorsby, who entered a gambling addiction treatment program, challenged in court. He ultimately abandoned his attempt to play this season in June.
More than 20 individuals were indicted by federal prosecutors after a massive betting scandal hit college basketball. Nearly 40 players from at least 17 schools were found to be involved, and several lost NCAA eligibility.
