Las Vegas Sportsbooks Face Investigation over UNLV Football Game

In a surprising turn of events, Las Vegas sportsbooks are facing scrutiny following the UNLV football game against New Mexico last month. The Rebels were initially favored by 9 points, but the betting line rapidly rose to an astonishing 16½ before UNLV secured a dominating 56-14 victory on November 4.

The unusual betting patterns did not go unnoticed, triggering alerts at various sportsbooks. The Westgate SuperBook vice president, Jay Kornegay, confirmed that they were notified by US Integrity, an independent sports wagering monitor based in Henderson. Caesars Sportsbook also received the alert, emphasizing that this matter concerns the entire industry. Although Kornegay mentioned no suspicious activity at their sportsbook, the absence of new accounts specifically targeting the UNLV game would have raised red flags for them.

US Integrity, monitoring betting activity for over 150 clients in 36 states, including the Mountain West Conference, is actively investigating the matter. However, US Integrity's co-founder and CEO, Matthew Holt, refrained from commenting due to the ongoing nature of the investigation. The Nevada Gaming Control Board, following standard regulatory practice, neither confirmed nor denied any ongoing investigation into the suspicious betting activity.

One noteworthy wager on the game drew attention, as a bettor at the BetMGM sportsbook at the Bellagio placed a substantial $200,000 bet on the Rebels with a spread of -13, aiming to win $181,000. Despite suspicions raised, UNLV football remains firm in denying any university involvement. Rebels coach Barry Odom emphasized their focus on taking control early and securing the win, stating that nothing unusual was observed during the game.

New Mexico's athletic director, Eddie Nunez, confirmed being notified about the suspicious betting activity a week after the game by US Integrity. Nunez attributed the significant loss to a lackluster performance rather than external factors. While the investigation is ongoing, sportsbooks are reviewing the unusual line movement and large bets to determine whether they resulted from informed strategies or potentially illicit activities.