Former SEC Receiver Arrested For Sports Gambling Charges While at LSU

Former LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested on Thursday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for sports gambling violations during his time playing for the Tigers.

According to the Louisiana State Police Department, investigators found that Boutte was placing sports bets from April 2022 until May 2023, all while under the legal age of 21 at the time. Boutte used alias accounts in order to conceal his identity and his age as he did not turn 21 until May 2023.

The Athletic’s Chad Graff reported on Thursday that Boutte didn’t do a stellar job at hiding his identity with the alias accounts, using usernames such as “kayshonboutte7” and “kayshonboutte01” for his gambling activity.

Boutte placed more than 8,900 bets according to reports.

Graff also reported that Boutte “wagered $450,969.44 via 1,520 bets in 2022. He won $385,597.71, indicating gambling losses of $65,371.73″ and “allegedly wagered $186k and won $170k, indicating losses of $16k” in 2023.

Boutte’s charges include a felony count of computer fraud and a misdemeanor count of gambling prohibited for persons under 21.

The Baton Rouge police department stated that the accounts believed to be run by Boutte placed bets on “at least 17” NCAA football games and “at least six” LSU football games.

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The NCAA’s official website states that “NCAA rules ban participation in sports betting activities and prohibit providing information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports betting activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition.”

Boutte’s final season of college football came during the 2022 season before being drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Tennessee crushed LSU by a score of 40-13 during his final season as Boutte hauled in six receptions for 33 yards and one touchdown.

Tennessee’s game against LSU in Baton Rouge did occur during the period in which Boutte was gambling on sports.

LSU was notified of the investigation in July 2023 and has been cooperating with the NCAA according to a report made by the athletics department on Thursday.

Boutte’s Louisiana criminal charges and potential NFL punishment represent the continued dangers of NCAA athletes using sports gambling outlets in ways that break the rules.