State Regulators Investigating Alleged Illegal Betting By Top QB Prospect Sorsby
Jesse M. Cox Published 12/05/2026
Already under NCAA investigation for gambling on games, things are going from bad to worse for Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Gambling regulatory bodies in several states are currently investigating whether Sorsby was participating in underage gambling while a resident of their respective state.
State gambling regulators in Ohio and Indiana are undertaking these investigations into Sorsby's alleged gambling activity. Sorsby turned 21, the legal gambling age in both states, on January 20, 2024. He may have placed bets while underage in both Ohio and Indiana. Sorsby faces expulsion from the NCAA if the gambling charges against him are proven.
Sorsby is under investigation for illegal underage gambling
According to reporting by ESPN, both the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) and the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) are investigating Sorsby to see if he was partaking in underage gambling. The quarterback played for the Indiana Hoosiers in 2022 and 2023. He spent the past two seasons under center for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Sorsby was only 20 years of age when he left the Hoosiers. He turned 21 following the 2024 season with the Bearcats. While both Indiana and Ohio offer legal and regulated sports betting, you need to be at least 21 years of age to place a bet in either state.
The NCAA recently announced that it was launching an investigation into alleged gambling activity by Sorsby. The allegations suggested that he had made thousands of bets on games, including games in which he was a participant.
While it hasn't launched an investigation, Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming told ESPN that it was in communication with the NCAA about its investigation and was weighing whether next steps would be necessary.
State gambling regulators, overseers of all licensed sportsbooks, hold the power to ban bettors and fine operators for any violations of state gambling regulations. They can also refer investigations to law enforcement.
College QB was a high-volume, low-stakes bettor
Sources familiar with the situation told ESPN that there was no evidence suggesting that Sorsby was taking money from gamblers to alter the outcome of any game in which he was involved. The description offered of his betting activity is that Sorsby was a high-volume, low-stakes bettor. He was holding accounts with several online sportsbooks and daily fantasy sports sites.
Allegedly, he was placing some bets under an assumed name. If so, this would also be a violation of the terms and conditions of any online sports betting site.
It was reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel that Sorsby placed a wager on an Indiana game during his freshman season as a Hoosiers quarterback.
The NCAA prohibits student-athletes from betting on any NCAA-sanctioned sport. Student-athletes betting on professional sports is also prohibited. Punishment for such activity can include permanent ineligibility for the player from all NCAA sports.
Sorsby enters a gambling addiction treatment facility
Showing as the top QB prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft, Sorsby used the transfer portal to move to Texas Tech in the offseason. That's the same school where Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes was once the quarterback.
On April 27, when the gambling allegations against him first surfaced, Sorsby announced through Texas Tech that he was entering a gambling addiction rehabilitation facility, claiming he was suffering from a mental health illness.
Sorsby has hired prominent attorney Jeffrey Kessler in a bid to retain his NCAA eligibility.
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