US lawmakers target colleges fielding athletes who bet on games

The fine rises from 5% to 10%, then 20% for later offences, based on a school’s gross athletics receipts.

The hit

Two US Representatives have introduced a bill that would fine colleges for fielding athletes who bet on college sports or played professionally in that same sport. Adrian Smith & Brendan Boyle brought the Fair Play Enforcement Act to Congress this month, according to Casino.org, prompted by a recent scandal involving LSU.

Why it matters

Smith & Boyle say the bill would hold colleges accountable for fielding athletes who violate fair competition standards. For colleges, it raises the cost of weak vetting: schools that knew or should have known about a banned athlete face a fine. Boyle says the bill creates “a financial consequence for schools that cross that line”.

The record

First offence fine	5% of a school’s gross athletics receipts
Second offence fine	10% of a school’s gross athletics receipts
Third offence fine	20% of a school’s gross athletics receipts
Penn State estimated first-offence cost	almost $13m
Penn State estimated second-offence cost	$25.5m
Penn State estimated third-offence cost	$51m

What happens next

Watch for committee hearings on the Fair Play Enforcement Act & whether lawmakers clarify if prediction market trades count as wagers under the bill.

Sources: Colleges Face Steep Fines Under Fair Play Enforcement Act

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