Gambling scandals in college athletics are nothing new, dating back the better part of a century.
Back in the day, scandals typically were point-shaving schemes that involved shadowy figures bribing athletes. The temptation now is delivered directly through gambling apps and websites.
The latest scandal to make the headlines came this week, when it was reported that Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has taken an indefinite leave from the program to get treatment for a gambling addiction.
San Diego State coach Sean Lewis was asked this week for his reaction to the latest incident to shake up college football.
“We talk constantly about how the choices that you make will define you,” Lewis said as the Aztecs prepared for Saturday’s spring game on campus. “Not specifically about (Sorsby), but you’ve seen it long enough. It happens to be gambling right now. That’s become, obviously, more commonplace. Like any vice, if you can’t control it, obviously, not good.
“You’ve got to be cautious about the choices that you’re making and have the discipline and make proper choices so that your choices only define you in a positive way.”
Added Lewis: “I care for these guys like they’re my own kids, and the world that we live in now is very, very wicked. And right, wrong or indifferent, just given their cognitive development, they’re pretty vulnerable right now.”
Sorsby, a two-time transfer, reportedly has made thousands of bets, including on his own team when he was a redshirt freshman at Indiana in 2022, as well as the past two years while the starting quarterback at Cincinnati. Sorsby, who was to make at least $4 million this year at Texas Tech, could potentially be ruled ineligible for his final college season depending on the results on an NCAA investigation.
The NCAA prohibits athletes and school staff from betting on college or professional events in any NCAA-sponsored sport. They can, for example, bet on MMA and boxing in places where it’s legal, but are prohibited from gambling on the NFL, MLB and NBA.
There was some confusion created last October, when the NCAA announced it was allowing athletes and staff to bet on pro sports. There was so much pushback on the rule that it was rescinded and never went into effect.
“There’s constant education that happens with it,” Lewis said. “We do a great job of making sure that our guys know what the rules are, because it wasn’t that long ago, last year, where it was OK to gamble, and that was rescinded and our guys where there was some gray were like, ‘OK, what’s legal and what’s not?’ A lot gets made of the kids, and I think we all can do a better job as the adults and lead them properly.”
There is a certain hypocrisy at work here: College athletics makes millions of dollars through relationships with gambling sites like FanDuel and DraftKings or local casinos.
Mountain West football media days have been held in Las Vegas for more than a decade, the past several years at Circa Resort & Casino, which boasts “the largest sports betting experience in the world.” In fact, the Circa sports book served as the backdrop during interviews of Mountain West players and coaches.
Gaming interests are well served locally as well. SDSU plays basketball games at Viejas Arena, and Snapdragon Stadium includes the Sycuan Founders Club.
Some schools place tracking apps, like one called ProhiBet, on the electronic devices of their athletes. SDSU instead chooses to be proactive with education:
• Athletes are warned about gambling from virtually the first team meeting when they arrive on campus for the fall semester.
• They are reminded through emails when big sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness are coming up.
• Gambling legislation updates are periodically posted on video screens located inside the Fowler Athletic Center.
• Guest speakers are brought in to discuss gambling, including former athletes who have first-hand stories about their gambling problems.
“Again, it’s just about proper decision-making and what you’re doing,” Lewis said. “Eventually, whatever you do in the dark will be brought to the light, so make sure you’re making those good, proper decisions and representing your family, representing our football family and our university the right way.
“Even though it’s common in the common world, and all the apps and all the things, I don’t want my guys to be common. I want them to be uncommon, and I want them to be different. And if that means now, in 2026, you have the discipline to make proper choices and that makes you different and uncommon, then good.”