The University of Alabama fired baseball coach Brad Bohannon on Thursday amid a sports betting probe into his former team.
Multiple jurisdictions have halted sportsbooks from allowing sports betting wagers on Crimson Tide baseball amid an investigation into suspicious betting activity.
The Alabama vs. LSU game on April 28 is at the center of the investigation.
Why Alabama fired baseball coach
The university issued a statement announcing the firing.
“Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne announced he has initiated the termination process for head baseball coach Brad Bohannon for, among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees,” the university said in a statemen.
“Bohannon has been relieved of all duties and Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach. There will be no further comment at this time pending an ongoing review.”
States halt sports betting on Alabama
All NJ sports betting wagers on the Crimson TIde baseball team have been halted for the time being.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement on Wednesday instructed sportsbooks to stop accepting wagers on Alabama baseball in response to Ohio’s decision.
State regulators in Ohio are looking into suspicious betting activity.
Why NJ sports betting regulator acted
The NJ DGE said in a statement that “the action was taken out of an abundance of caution.”
“Currently, New Jersey gaming operators and their independent fraud monitors have not detected any suspicious wagering in New Jersey,” the statement said.
“If patrons have any questions on this suspension or would like to provide information to DGE, they can contact the Division by calling (609) 984-0909.”
Details on suspicious Alabama baseball wagers
The Ohio Casino Control Commission originally elected to halt any Crimson Tide baseball bets. Pennsylvania did the same Thursday.
“As a matter of precaution, the Gaming Control Board today advised that wagering on Alabama men’s baseball is not permitted in Pennsylvania until further notice,” the PA regulator told LSR.
ESPN first reported the incident. The BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ballpark reportedly was the site of the suspicious wagers. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board provided more specifics.
“There were a couple of bets made in Cincinnati, Ohio,” chairman Ronnie Johns told NOLA.com.. “One was on a parlay which involved the LSU-Alabama game, and then there was another straight-up (money line) bet. I was told it was a large bet that involved LSU-Alabama.”
What other states are doing
US Integrity discovered the issue. ESPN reported FanDuel Sportsbook has stopped taking Alabama baseball bets in any of its jurisdictions.
New York regulators appeared to pull Crimson Tide baseball markets, though they have not responded as of press time.
Some jurisdictions elected to take no action yet. Regulators in Massachusetts, Maryland and Colorado; however, told LSR that they were monitoring the situation closely as it develops.
