Scandal at Fresno State potentially boosts support for the SAFE Bet Act.
Fresno State Betting Scandal and the SAFE Bet Act: A Perfect Storm
It's a scandalous time for Fresno State's men's basketball team, with three players under investigation for violating NCAA gambling regulations. The players involved, Jalen Weaver, Zaon Collins, and Mykell Robinson, are facing numerous allegations, including betting on their own performances and professional sports. The drama unfolds as the SAFE Bet Act, a federal measure aimed at cracking down on sports betting, particularly on college sports, gains momentum.
Jalen Weaver and Zaon Collins, key contributors to the Bulldogs’ lineup, have been suspended, while Mykell Robinson has been dismissed from the team. Their sudden absence sparked speculation, with the university citing an "eligibility matter" as the reason. Robinson, averaging 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, had not played since January 11.
The timing of this scandal is significant, as the SAFE Bet Act, introduced in Congress, seeks to place restrictions on legal sports betting. Lawmakers are pushing for stricter betting regulations to ensure the integrity of sports betting. Should the SAFE Bet Act pass, California sportsbooks would be forced to remove lines on NCAA games and implement tougher compliance measures.
This isn't the first time a university has been embroiled in a betting scandal. Iowa and Iowa State saw multiple athletes investigated for gambling, and the NCAA has ramped up its enforcement efforts. Fresno State's investigation is ongoing, and further penalties could be on the horizon.
The SAFE Bet Act aims to prohibit prop bets on individual college athletes nationally, aligning with state-level efforts like North Carolina’s reintroduced bill to ban such wagers. The act also proposes restrictions on sportsbook ads, deposit/wager limits, and AI-driven targeting of vulnerable bettors, among other safeguards. States like Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York are already implementing SAFE Bet-inspired policies.
As the sports betting industry faces increased scrutiny, Fresno State's scandal could serve as a turning point for how lawmakers, legal sportsbooks, and universities handle gambling moving forward. The future of the SAFE Bet Act remains uncertain, but mounting public health concerns, including gambling’s high suicide risk among addicts, could drive renewed legislative focus post-scandals.
Michael Molter, a former basketball scout for Florida State University and the University of Alabama, covers basketball and sports betting for our website. He enjoys watching midlevel tennis matches when he's not glued to the TV.
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News tags: betting scandal, California, Fresno State Bulldogs, Jalen Weaver, Mykell Robinson, NCAA, SAFE Bet Act, Zaon Collins.
Michael Molter, a former basketball scout for Florida State University and the University of Alabama, now covers basketball and sports betting for our website. He enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and kayaking when not obsessing over midlevel tennis matches.
Sports betting poses addictive risks. Gamble responsibly and see resources like Gamblers Anonymous for help.
Enrichment Data:As of April 2025, there has been no new progress on the SAFE Bet Act, which aims to restrict sports betting, particularly on college sports. The bill, initially introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), remains in limbo in Congress. The bill, if passed, would ban prop bets on individual college athletes nationwide, similar to North Carolina's reintroduced bill to restrict such wagers. The SAFE Bet Act also includes provisions to restrict sportsbook ads, impose deposit/wager limits, and ban AI-driven targeting of vulnerable bettors. Meanwhile, states like Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York are already implementing the Act's principles. Public health concerns, such as gambling's high suicide risk among addicts, could potentially reinvigorate interest in the SAFE Bet Act post-scandals.
- The Fresno State men's basketball team is currently embroiled in a gambling controversy, with three players suspected of violating NCAA betting regulations.
- Jalen Weaver, Zaon Collins, and Mykell Robinson, key players for the Bulldogs, are facing serious allegations—including wagering on their own performances and professional sports—and have faced various penalties.
- The SAFE Bet Act, a federal measure aimed at regulating sports betting, especially on college sports, is gaining traction in Congress.
- If passed, the SAFE Bet Act would force California sportsbooks to remove lines on NCAA games and implement stricter compliance measures.
- This isn't the first betting scandal to rock a university; both Iowa and Iowa State have faced investigations, and the NCAA has stepped up its enforcement efforts.
- The SAFE Bet Act seeks to ban prop bets on individual college athletes nationwide, and also proposes restrictions on sportsbook ads and deposit/wager limits.
- Some states, such as Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York, are already enacting policies inspired by the SAFE Bet Act.
- This scandal and the SAFE Bet Act's future could reshape how lawmakers, sportsbooks, and universities approach betting regulations moving forward.
- The sports betting industry faces increased scrutiny, and Fresno State's scandal may serve as a catalyst for reforms in legislative policy and general news concerning sports, sports betting, politics, and policy-and-legislation.
