Bianca Smith, Associate of Benesch’s White Collar, Government Investigations & Regulatory Compliance Practice Group, appeared on 19 News, the CBS affiliate in Cleveland (WOIO), to analyze the recent collegiate betting and point-shaving scandal. She discussed the federal charges brought against those involved, the broader implications for collegiate athletics, and the need for further regulation and oversight of sports gambling practices.
During the interview, Bianca outlined the legal ramifications of the scandal, including the federal charges involved—bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, and aiding and abetting. She also addressed the seriousness of the allegations, potential penalties, and how the scheme operated at multiple levels within collegiate athletics.
Bianca provided detailed analysis of the case, stating, “What we have here is a six-count complaint out of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicting 26 people surrounding a point shaving and betting scheme.” She emphasized the strength of the government’s evidence, adding, “When an investigation culminates from the Department of Justice and the FBI, they're not just bringing it for fun, they've done the work… it would be naive of us to think that they're bringing this case without having the actual evidence to support it.” Bianca also underscored broader regulatory concerns surrounding sports betting: “This is a popular industry, and we would be naive to think that Ohio is going to leave money on the table. But at the same time, it’s becoming a dangerous industry as well, and there’s space for regulation.”
The segment explored the broader impact of scandals like this on collegiate sports, including differences in betting laws between Ohio and neighboring states and potential responses from institutions such as the NCAA and state government. The discussion also touched on how technological advancements have made these activities easier to both perpetrate and investigate, the pressures placed on student-athletes, and calls from the Ohio governor and NCAA for broader bans on collegiate proposition bets as a preventative legislative measure.
Watch the full interview on Cleveland 19 News.
