Arkansas man pleads guilty in NCAA fixing case

Rodrick Winkler, a 32-year-old man from Arkansas, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to charges related to a point-shaving conspiracy in college basketball. The guilty plea resolves his role as a key recruiter and briber in a scheme that spanned from September 2022 to February 2025. Winkler admitted to bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud.

Court filings describe Winkler as a fixer who recruited players to intentionally underperform. The goal was to ensure teams failed to cover betting spreads. The operation involved 39 players across 17 different teams who fixed or attempted to fix 29 NCAA Division I games. Winkler and other fixers typically paid players between $10,000 and $30,000 per game to influence the outcome.

The case originated from a January indictment that named 26 individuals, including more than a dozen college basketball players. Prosecutors stated that the conspirators generated over $3 million in fraudulent wagers on the affected games. Sportsbooks across the country reported financial losses exceeding $1.1 million due to the scheme. The group had previously engaged in similar fixing activities in the Chinese Basketball Association before shifting their focus to the NCAA.

Winkler is scheduled for sentencing on February 8. He faces a maximum potential prison term of 45 years. The court may also impose three years of supervised release and a fine. His plea is one of the final resolutions stemming from the wide-reaching investigation into college basketball betting fraud.