The NCAA announced Wednesday that its Division I Administrative Committee adopted a proposal to allow student-athletes and athletics team officials to wager on professional sports.
Key Takeaways
- The policy must also be adopted by committees representing D-II and D-III schools.
- The change is intended to destigmatize sports betting while increasing education and transparency.
- The National Council on Problem Gambling supports the potential change.
Assuming the committees representing the two remaining divisions of NCAA athletics approve the change, student-athletes will be legally allowed to gamble on pro sports starting Nov. 1.
Under the current rules, student-athletes and all team personnel are barred from wagering on all forms of professional and amateur sports.
“The Administrative Committee was clear in its discussion today that it remains concerned about the risks associated with all forms of sports gambling but ultimately voted to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers,” Josh Whitman, Illinois athletics director and committee chair, said in a statement.
“This change allows the NCAA, three conferences, and the member schools to focus on protecting the integrity of college games while, at the same time, encouraging healthy habits for student-athletes who choose to engage in betting activities on professional sports.”
Betting on amateur sports would continue to be restricted. Student-athletes and team officials also still would not be allowed to disclose privileged information for the benefit of known sports bettors.
Additionally, rules regarding advertising and sponsorships for betting companies related to NCAA championship events were not amended.
Prioritizing education and integrity
The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) said ending the prohibition on professional sports wagering would allow student-athletes to become more educated and create a more transparent process.
“We believe this change represents meaningful progress toward a culture that prioritizes education, transparency and support over punishment,” the Division I SAAC executive team said. “By removing unnecessary barriers, we are hopeful that student-athletes and athletics administrators will feel empowered to come forward, seek help and engage in open dialogue without fear.
“We are also mindful that conferences and institutions should retain the right to regulate sports wagering activity within their own communities as they see appropriate.”
The SAAC expects NCAA member-schools to continue to provide student-athletes and team officials with education and awareness training and will continue to prioritize honor within sports.
“We are hopeful, and expecting, that the NCAA and its membership will meet student-athletes halfway by providing the necessary education, resources and support systems to ensure well-being and integrity remain at the core of college athletics,” the SAAC said.
Support from officials
NCAA chief medical officer Dr. Deena Casiero believes avoiding the issue of sports betting by completely outlawing it is not always in the best interest of student-athletes.
“Abstinence-only approaches to social challenges for college-aged individuals are often not as successful as approaches that focus on education about risks and open dialogue," Dr. Casiero said. “This harm reduction approach gives schools an opportunity to help student-athletes make educated decisions, prevent risky behavior and seek support without fear of impacting their eligibility.”
The National Council on Problem Gambling said in a statement that it supports the NCAA’s attempt to update its sports betting code by reducing the stigma associated with gambling without ignoring its responsibility to educate student-athletes and uphold the integrity of its competitions.
