Former LSU football player Kayshon Boutte has been arrested on charges related to illegal online gaming.
The WAFB I-TEAM was first to report on the case Thursday, following a warrant being issued for his arrest.
Some of the alleged illegal gaming took place while he was an LSU player, investigators allege. However, a source familiar with the case said Boutte never bet “against himself” and his actions in LSU games. In other words, he is not accused of throwing a game.
The news release says Boutte placed over 8,900 wagers, at least 17 of which were on NCAA football games and at least 6 of which were on LSU football.
Boutte turned himself in on charges of Computer Fraud, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of Gaming Prohibited for Persons under 21.
Arrangements were made for Boutte to be booked, post a $6,000 bond, and then immediately released from the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
While he was still a minor, Boutte is accused of creating a fraudulent online gaming account indicating that he was 21 years old or older and; therefore, legally allowed to gamble.
He is also accused of illegally gambling, using that fraudulent account, to place thousands of different bets including some on LSU football. The wagers and payouts involved “several hundred thousand dollars,” said one source familiar with the case.
Some of the wagers were allegedly placed while he was still a player at LSU in 2022.
Boutte, who is now 21, is currently listed on the roster of the New England Patriots. He played in five games for the Patriots last season.
A native of New Iberia and a graduate of Westgate High School, he spent three years with the LSU Tigers as wide receiver, appearing in 27 games with 21 starts.
BEDARD'S ANALYSIS
When I heard Boutte was arrested, I braced for some serious charges. There are a variety of reasons why he fell out of favor at LSU, fell down draft boards and was off some of them.
This isn't anything to sneeze at, but it's pretty far down the rung of serious infractions since, according to what we know, a bulk of it was in college — although he opened an account in Mass in June of last year, not a great look.
I doubt this rises to a player getting cut, but this is a new regime - who would even make that call, Jerod Mayo? Eliot Wolf?
There could be some sort of intervention for Boutte, like counseling. The NFL gambling policy doesn't say much about violations in college, but you can bet NFL security will be all up in his business.
Some concerning things with the policy:
- Betting on Football: All NFL Personnel are prohibited from placing, soliciting, or facilitating any bet, whether directly or through a third party, on any NFL game, practice or other event (e.g., Draft or Combine). This includes betting on game outcome, statistics, score, performance of any individual participant, “futures”, or any other kind of “proposition bet” in any way related to the (regardless of whether such bet involves actual on-field play) (e.g., prop bets related to Gatorade color, pre- or post-game events, halftime show, off-field player conduct or outcomes,etc.)
- Gambling in the Workplace or While Working: NFL Personnel shall not engage in any form of gambling in any club or League facility or venue (e.g., practice facility, stadium, team hotel, Draft or other League or club event); on any League or club charter or other transport; while traveling on club or League business; or while making an endorsement or promotional appearance. For clarity, playing cards or other casino-type games is permitted as long as nothing of value is wagered.
- Gambling Debt: Any NFL Personnel who incurs gambling debt greater than $10,000 to any person or gambling-related enterprise shall promptly notify the NFL Security Department/