US authorities are still conducting a sweeping probe into an illicit betting ring with alleged connections to pro and college basketball.
The NCAA men’s basketball tournament ended on Monday night (7 April) with a scintillating comeback by the University of Florida, which erased a 12-point second-half deficit to edge Houston in the national title game.
In the past, the Cougars’ defeat may have provided famed bettor Jim McIngvale with nagging indigestion, due to the Houston furniture store owner’s affinity for placing seven-figure bets backing the Cougars. Last year, the entrepreneur stood to make $15 million (£11.7 million/€13.6 million) if Kelvin Sampson’s team cut down the nets. In the run-up to this year’s Final Four, though, no large bet from McIngvale was publicised.
As part of an initiative to promote responsible gambling, the NCAA has urged bettors to gamble within their means. Throughout March Madness, the NCAA promoted its “Draw the Line” educational campaign about gambling..