The alleged illicit betting activity of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is drawing the attention of a state gaming regulator, as the NCAA also investigates the matter.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) initiated a probe into Sorsby for his alleged wagering on his own team in 2022 while a member of Indiana’s football program, an OCCC spokesperson confirmed to SBC Americas on Friday.
Sorsby’s alleged betting was revealed after Texas Tech made an announcement. The quarterback allegedly held several sportsbook and DFS accounts in several U.S markets.
“The Ohio Casino Control Commission routinely receives information and conducts administrative investigations related to matters that impact the integrity of sports gaming in Ohio,” said the regulator in a statement to SBC Americas.
“The commission has received information that has warranted an integrity investigation to be conducted related to Brendan Sorsby”.
Why is the OCCC investigating Sorsby?
Ohio’s gaming regulator is investigating Sorsby as the Texas native transferred to Cincinnati after the 2023 season. Sorsby spent two seasons as a key cog for Cincinnati’s football program. In January, Sorsby transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech for the 2026 season—the quarterback and NFL Draft hopeful’s final season of NCAA eligibility.
In response to the alleged betting behavior, Sorsby took an “indefinite leave of absence” from Texas Tech and has entered a residential gambling addiction treatment program.
Sorsby’s alleged betting turns into a regulatory matter
Sorsby’s ability to play at Texas Tech is in jeopardy amid the NCAA’s investigation. The OCCC’s probe can also lead to sanctions levied against Sorsby and his former institutions.
Sorsby faces permanent NCAA ineligibility as the organization bans student-athletes from wagering on all events sponsored by the organization, including pro competition. The NCAA can also levy ineligibility penalties for wagering on team events. It’s important to note that Sorsby did not play in the games that he allegedly wagered on while at Indiana. Despite not playing in the contests, Sorsby still faces a significant penalty from the NCAA.
He also faces NCAA sanctions if he does not cooperate with the organization’s probe.
Meanwhile, the OCCC can take a different approach by imposing monetary penalties against Sorsby and organizations and individuals tied to the quarterback. The OCCC’s probe may discover additional illicit behavior as Sorsby allegedly also placed sports wagers using a sportsbook account under a different person’s name. The OCCC prohibits proxy betting or any improper manipulation of sportsbook accounts to place wagers.
“As that investigation is currently ongoing, the commission cannot provide any further information,” continued the OCCC.
Sorsby’s alleged behavior can also lead to criminal charges amid the investigations. In addition to the OCCC, the Indiana Gaming Commission is preparing a probe into Sorsby.
Previous NCAA betting sanctions
The NCAA has dealt with recent gambling issues in college basketball, but it has been several years since a Power Four quarterback was tied to an alleged gambling scandal.
In 2023, former Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers was ruled permanently ineligible for illicit betting. That year, Dekkers and several other Iowa State athletes were charged with tampering with records after a probe into wagering by NCAA student-athletes.
Dekkers was accused of placing more than 20 wagers on Iowa State sporting events, violating the NCAA’s bylaws for gambling. In total, Dekkers placed over 300 bets on various sports and leagues while using his parents’ identity to operate a sportsbook account.
Other Iowa State athletes were also charged following the investigation, including Dodge Sauser, an offensive lineman who transferred from Iowa State after the probe. Current Iowa State redshirt senior wrestler Paniro Johnson was also charged in the case.
Johnson’s charges were eventually dismissed in March 2024 by an Iowa judge.
