NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs
Amid a slew of ongoing sports betting scandals, sports wagering monitoring firm U.S. Integrity has launched a new tip line to anonymously report gambling-related issues.
Earlier this month, operators of the BetMGM Sportsbook at the Cincinnati Reds’ stadium alerted U.S. Integrity of “abnormal activity,” on bets for an Alabama-LSU baseball game. U.S. Integrity then alerted Ohio’s gambling regulators to investigate the activity, and Alabama fired its baseball coach Brad Bohannon amid the probe.
U.S. Integrity’s new tipline setup with RealResponse is aimed at getting professional and collegiate athletes, coaches, trainers, and support staff to send anonymous text messages if they’re suspicious of gambling violations, corruption, or receive abuse from fans related to betting. The number for the text line is 843-USI-TIPS (843-874-7477).
Iowa and Iowa State are also cooperating with authorities about a betting investigation involving university athletes. Still, sources told Front Office Sports that the allegations do not appear related to match-fixing or point-shaving.
U.S. Integrity’s partnered clients include the NBA, MLB, UFC, PGA Tour, Pac-12, SEC, and major sportsbooks such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics. The company’s services include its algorithm programmed to detect abnormalities in betting line movements and wagering activity.
MLS club Colorado Rapids has suspended winger Max Alves for his reported connection to a match-fixing investigation that also involves several professional soccer players in Brazil, according to ESPN. Alves was reportedly paid $12,000 by an organization to receive a yellow card in a match against the LA Galaxy on Sept. 17, 2022, which he did about 90 seconds after entering the game as a substitute.
