COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement Thursday following the announcement of federal indictments tied to a widespread college basketball points-shaving scheme uncovered by authorities in Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment of 20 individuals in connection with the scheme, which allegedly involved 39 players across 17 colleges. Officials said none of the schools implicated are located in Ohio.
In response, DeWine pointed to Ohio’s earlier action to prohibit collegiate prop betting, calling the case further evidence of the risks such wagering poses to the integrity of college sports.
“There is news today out of Philadelphia of another troubling case involving collegiate prop betting,” DeWine said. “This is why Ohio and the NCAA worked to ban collegiate prop bets in Ohio almost two years ago in February 2024.”
The governor said he supports the actions taken by law enforcement and prosecutors, but emphasized that the case highlights a broader national issue.
“While I applaud law enforcement and prosecutors for taking today’s action, this disturbing news reinforces that states across the country need to follow Ohio’s lead and heed NCAA President Charlie Baker’s call to ban collegiate prop bets in their states as well,” DeWine said.
Ohio became one of the first states in the nation to prohibit collegiate prop betting, a move state officials said was intended to protect student-athletes and maintain the integrity of college athletics.
