Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte’s Gambling, Fraud Charges Dropped

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte had his underage gambling and computer fraud charges dropped Tuesday morning by the state of Louisiana.

New England Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte wagered $450,000, losing $65,000 in 2022, and lost $16,000 after betting $186,000 in 2023

Boutte, 22, was arrested in January in Baton Rouge over allegations of illegal sports betting while he played at LSU. The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division found that Boutte bet on sports from April 6, 2022, until May 7, 2023, when he was 20.

Boutte allegedly used an alias to bypass the age requirement for placing sports wagers in Louisiana. The alias account had more than 8,900 wagers, with at least 17 bets on NCAA football games. At least six involved LSU, per a police report.

According to court documents, he bet a total of $450,000, losing $65,000, in 2022. He bet $186,000, losing $16,000, in 2023.

Boutte’s betting continued for about a week after he was drafted, according to police. The NFL’s gambling policy allows players to bet on sports, but not on any league-related games.

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office released a statement

Tracey Ewing Barbera of the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office released the following statement, explaining the reasons why a felony prosecution of Boutte would not be “appropriate.”

“The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division did an outstanding job investigating this matter,” Barbera said. “While there is undisputed evidence that Kayshon Boutte was under the age of 21 when he made these sports wagers, we have confirmed that no one suffered any financial loss as a result of his conduct.

“We have also confirmed that he did not financially benefit from his actions as an LSU football player. He did not bet against himself or his team.

“Kayshon Boutte has completed a gambling awareness program and executed self-ban agreements in Massachusetts as well as with FanDuel and BET99. In light of his mitigatory actions, we do not believe a felony prosecution is appropriate.

“Effective August 1st, proposition bets in the State of Louisiana will be suspended from the Official Sports Betting Catalog. Additionally, Act 284 of the 2024 Louisiana Legislature’s Regular Session enacted a statute (La.R.S. 14:90.8) criminalizing sports wagering by a prohibited player.”

Patriots selected Boutte in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft

According to The Boston Globe, Boutte did not comment, but attorney Steven Moore did on behalf of his client.

“Kayshon acknowledges what he did was not right, and he looks forward to being a valuable member of the Patriots in 2024,” Moore said.

Boutte was a full participant in spring practices earlier this year. The 6-foot, 197-pound wideout can continue to participate in all team activities, the spokesperson said.

The Patriots selected Boutte at No. 187 in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft.

He will be fighting for a roster spot this year after New England drafted two other receivers: Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round and Central Florida’s Javon Baker in the fourth round.

Boutte set an SEC single-game record with 308 receiving yards as a freshman against Ole Miss in December 2020. He also made nine touchdown receptions the following season as a sophomore.