Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte Charged with Underage Sports Betting

Article ByDavid Weir

January 26, 2024

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Posted in: US Gambling News, Louisiana Gambling News, Massachusetts Gambling News, US Gambling Crime News, US Sports Betting News

Kayshon Boutte (pictured), a former Louisiana State University (LSU) wide receiver and current player for the New England Patriots, has been arrested on charges related to illegal sports betting while attending college.

Boutte, age 21, surrendered to authorities January 25 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Louisiana State Police booked him on felony charge of computer fraud and a misdemeanor count of gaming prohibited for persons under 21. He was released after posting a $6,000 bond.

Prosecutors allege the Patriots player placed more than 8,900 bets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at FanDuel sportsbook while underage and playing for the LSU Tigers. They claim he used his girlfriend’s details to register his betting account in April 2022 before he turned 21, which pertains to the computer fraud part of the charges.

“The New England Patriots are aware that Kayshon Boutte is cooperating with Louisiana police regarding their investigation into an underage gambling charge while he was a student at Louisiana State University,” said a spokesperson for the Patriots.

“I don’t anticipate that we will be providing any additional comments at this time.”

Investigation Details

The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division began its investigation in July 2023 after being contacted by FanDuel about sports wagers made by Boutte, who was underage at the time.

Boutte is accused of using his girlfriend’s name to get around the legal requirements of Louisiana sports betting to make his online gaming account, funding it with his mother’s credit card.

In this way, he is said to have placed 9,000 wagers between April 2022 and May 2023. Of these wagers, at least 17 were on NCAA football games, including six on LSU football.

The arrest documents highlight these LSU football wagers, including a bet on himself during the Tigers game versus Florida State on September 4, 2022. He bet that he would score at least one touchdown and have over 82.5 receiving yards. It’s a bet he lost, as he ended with two catches for 20 yards and no touchdowns in that game.

There is no suggestion Boutte bet against the Tigers or threw any games.

Boutte had a decent career at LSU, although his final season saw several injuries. He signed with the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

Legal Implications and Penalties

Computer fraud in Louisiana is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison term of five years or less.

Illegal gambling for persons under 21 can result in a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Any winnings acquired under the age of 21 must be returned to the gambling organization.

The Patriots have not announced anything as of yet, but his contract will definitely be in trouble at this point.

Another college athlete sports betting controversy to start out 2024 is hardly what the business needs, especially when criminal charges are involved.

Last year, a dozen NFL players were suspended for gambling violations, and sports betting in Iowa saw several State athletes face criminal charges over their betting activities.

“In July 2023, LSU was made aware of allegations regarding a former student-athlete’s improper conduct related to sports gambling while enrolled at the University,” LSU said in a statement on Boutte’s charges.

“Since then, we have fully cooperated with all relevant authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so. We have no evidence that any other student-athletes participated in these prohibited activities, and we are grateful for measures that detect and discourage sports gambling related misconduct.”