Hapoel star player is among those indicted in NCAA gambling scandal

Federal prosecutors have charged 20 people, including 15 former college basketball players, in connection with a gambling scheme to manipulate NBA games. NCAA and China Basketball Association. The charges were made public Thursday.

Current players of Euroleague leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv, anthony blakeneyis one of 17 basketball players accused in this massive results manipulation scheme. The alleged conspiracy lasted from September 2022 to February 2025, defrauding multiple bookmakers and individual bettors.

Fifteen of the defendants played on Division 1 teams in the league. NCAA Until the 2024-25 season. The remaining five have been identified by authorities as “fixers” or “middlemen,” including two player development experts, a coach and former coach, and a former player. NCAA And the two are called bettors, influencers, and sports tipsters.

The complaint filed in federal court is philadelphiaincluding electronic fraud. The 70-page indictment alleges that the intermediaries recruited college players by offering them “bribes” ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

The revelation came after a series of investigations by the government. NCAA As a result, at least 10 players have been suspended this year for gambling, some involving their own team or performance. of NCAA It was reported that more than 30 players are under investigation for gambling charges. Last year, more than 30 people were indicted in a massive federal operation targeting illegal gambling establishments connected to professional basketball.

Concerns about gambling on college sports have increased since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban, and some states have legalized the practice to varying degrees. However, NCAA It banned players and staff from betting on college games and briefly allowed student-athletes to bet on professional sports last year, but reversed that decision in November.

On a general level, the sports world has been rocked by multiple gambling scandals. According to , gaming revenue in the first three quarters of last year exceeded $11 billion, representing an increase of more than 13% year over year. American Gaming Association.