New Jersey gaming regulators on Friday ordered sportsbooks to stop betting on the Citrus Bowl between Purdue and LSU because “an individual affiliated with the Purdue Football team” violated state regulations.
Sources familiar with the decision told ESPN that retired NFL quarterback Drew Brees, who signed on to become an interim assistant coach for Purdue during the bowl game, was the individual in question because of the relationship. his business relationship with the sportsbook PointsBet.
New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement has instructed the state’s sportsbooks to stop betting on Purdue football and said existing bets on the Citrus Bowl placed after December 15 must be void. dropped, according to a notice sent Friday morning and obtained by ESPN. Brees, an alumnus of Purdue, signed on as an interim coach on December 15.
In the notice, the games department did not name individuals associated with Purdue but said it violated regulation 5:12A-11(f), which prohibits athletes, coaches, referees or directors from participating in the game. sport governing body has “any ownership rights”. interested in, controlled by, or used by an operator.”
Brees became a brand ambassador for PointsBet in June 2021 and received an ownership stake in the sportsbook in the deal. A week after he agreed to coach Purdue, PointsBet, which operates out of New Jersey, announced the end of its partnership with Brees.
“PointsBet congratulates Drew Brees on being appointed Interim Assistant Coach for Purdue Boiler,” PointsBet said in a statement released on December 22. “While this is an exciting next step in his career, after careful consideration, we have decided to terminate it. Ambassador cooperation agreement with Drew. Regulatory and legal compliance, responsible gaming practices and the integrity of legal sports betting are top priorities for our organization and this decision will allow us to maintain that commitment. We wish Drew all the best as he returns to his alma mater.”
PointsBet declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.
The point spread on the Citrus Bowl, scheduled for Monday, has shifted from LSU -11.5 to LSU -14 over the past two weeks.
