Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte didn't try hard to conceal alleged illegal gambling

While he allegedly created the account under the moniker "Kayla Fortenberry," deposit information traced back to his mother, Tanisha Boutte. Because the bets by Boutte occurred before he turned 21 in May 2023, they're illegal. 

If proved to be true, Boutte's brazenness means one of two things. Either he was unconcerned about getting caught or begging to be. Regardless, he's evidently in serious trouble, and his NFL career is probably the least of his concerns. 

Over 2022 and 2023, Boutte allegedly deposited more than $132,000, winning a total of $556,267. However, most went toward new bets as he'd only withdrawn $50,282 from the account. His wagers ultimately translated to a loss of roughly $82K, but that's not why he's in hot water. 

Purportedly, Boutte placed 17 bets on NCAA football games, including six on LSU. 

Aside from the genuine legal implications of Boutte's supposed actions, what could be in store for him regarding punishment from the league? As former front-office guru and league insider Andrew Brandt highlighted, the NFL "quietly" changed the conduct policy for players regarding discipline from the commissioner over incidents before a player's pro career. This means he's fair game for a reprimand and can all but expect it. 

With the flourishing tidal wave of legal betting options now out in the open and Super Bowl LVIII around the corner in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, there's an increased focus on gambling in sports. If the news surrounding Boutte isn't enough of a cautionary tale for NFLers looking to cash in on their knowledge, the league has made rules for the festivities in Vegas abundantly clear. 

According to Daniel Kaplan of Front Office Sports, players participating in the Super Bowl cannot bet in any form, whether it be sportsbooks or casino games. In contrast, players visiting from eliminated teams can gamble on anything other than sports. 

As for Boutte, his future is uncertain. Selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of LSU by the Patriots, he recently wrapped up his first professional season, catching only two of seven targets for 19 yards over five games.