NCAA D1 Administrative Committee Votes To Allow College Athletes And Staff To Bet On Professional Sports

The NCAA D1 Administrative Committee has announced that it is removing the ban on college athletes and staff members to bet on professional sports. 

According to the statement made by the NCAA, the ruling would still prohibit players and staff from betting on any collegiate athletics, but would no longer prohibit professional sports gambling.

The NCAA Division II and III administrative committees must also approve the proposal in order for the rule to go into effect. 

“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,” said Josh Whitman, Illinois athletic director and committee chair. “This change allows the NCAA, the 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. 

The NCAA Committee on Infractions released the first infractions cases in September, and is currently in the midst of investigating 13 student-athletes from six other NCAA schools. 

NCAA vice president of enforcement Jon Duncan said the NCAA is adapting its policies amid rising sports betting cases, emphasizing its focus on protecting competitive integrity.

“The enforcement staff continues to investigate and resolve cases involving sports betting quickly but thoroughly,” Duncan said. “Enforcement staff are investigating a significant number of cases that are specifically relevant to the NCAA’s mission of fair competition, and our focus will remain on those cases and those behaviors that impact the integrity of college sports most directly.” 

The statement made by the NCAA said the goal of the proposal was to improve efforts to enforce the anti-gambling policies specifically at the college level, rather than all levels of sport, while also providing athletes with greater education and resources to prevent problem gambling.

“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,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “The NCAA will continue to collaborate with schools to help them provide student-athletes with meaningful education and other resources for student-athletes who choose to participate in betting on professional sports. 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 NCAA Division II and III committees are expected to make a decision on the rule during its meetings in late October and the rule change would take effect November 1 if it’s approved by both.