Isaiah Rodgers from Indianapolis Colts Under Investigation for Betting on Own Team

Posted on: June 5, 2023, 06:23h. 

Last updated on: June 5, 2023, 06:28h.

Isiah Rodgers, a member of the Indianapolis Colts, is under investigation by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy.

Rodgers, a kick returner and cornerback, allegedly placed numerous wagers on NFL games including on his own team. The bets were made on a friend’s account, and the majority of wagers were within the $25 to $50 range.

The Colts selected Rodgers out of UMass with a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He returned one kick for a touchdown in his rookie season in 2020.

“Hundreds” of Bets

Mark Rybaltowski from the Sports Handle reported that the NFL has evidence that a player from the Colts placed hundreds of bets in 2022 and early 2023. The Sports Handle did not reveal the player’s name, except that he made wagers on the Colts during the 2022 NFL season.

The Colts confirmed the investigation, but did not comment any further on the situation.

We are aware of the NFL’s investigation and will have no further comment at this time,” the Colts said in an official statement.

ESPN reported that Rodgers was the player under investigation.

Indiana has legalized sports betting, but Rodgers apparently made bets while inside the Colts practice facility, which is in direct violation the NFL’s gambling policy.

“We have received information pertaining to this matter and we are following developments,” said Jenny Reske, the Indiana Gaming Commission Deputy Director. “The IGC is not the lead agency because it involves violations of league policy. We will, however, continue to review information as it emerges to see if it requires any regulatory action.”

Rodgers is also in hot water for betting on his own team, which is a taboo.

John Shaw from the Arizona Cardinals was the first player suspended in 2019 for gambling violations in the era of legalized sports betting. Shaw got slapped with a 21-game suspension and he made bets on the Cardinals, and also faded his own team during visits to Las Vegas.

In 2022, Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons earned a one-year suspension for making parlay bets on his phone that included his own team. Ridley was recently reinstated and joined the Jacksonville Jaguars.

No Shortage of Betting Scandals and Investigations

The latest investigation comes months after the NFL suspended five players for violating their gambling policy. Four members of the Detroit Lions and one player from the Washington Commanders were flagged either bet on NFL games or placed wagers on sports within their team’s facility.

C.J. Moore, Quintez Cephus, and Shaka Toney were suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games. Toney was a member of the Commanders last season, but he’s no longer on the roster. Moore and Cephus played for the Lions last season, but both have since been cut.

Detroit wide receivers, Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill, were issued a six-game suspension. They placed wagers while inside the Lions’ practice facility, but did not bet on NFL games.

The NFL is also investigating another member of the Lions for gambling violations.

The NCAA recently flagged student athletes from Iowa and Iowa State for violating gambling regulations.

College baseball is in the middle of its own betting scandal. Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon revealed inside information to a friend who wagered against Alabama in a game against LSU. The bettor was the father of a member of the Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team. Scott Googins, head coach of Cincinnati, recently stepped down in wake of the scandal. Bohannon also lost his job with Alabama.

Source: casino.org