The NCAA Division I Board has decided to postpone a rule change that would let college athletes and sports department staff bet on professional sports. This change was supposed to begin on November 1, but it’s now pushed to November 22, 2025.
The delay is because the rule didn’t receive enough votes (75%) to be passed easily. Now, there is a 30-day period where schools can vote to cancel the rule altogether. This extra time allows for more discussion on the matter.
The proposed rule allows college sportspeople and staff to bet on pro sports, but they can't share insider info or bet on college games. The rule affects all NCAA divisions, but its adoption has been paused for Divisions II and III, too.
Where is the Pushback Coming From?
In light of recent professional sports gambling scandals, especially the NBA insider betting incident, the SEC called for a more cautious approach to any gambling policy changes involving athletes.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is strongly against the rule, calling it a “big mistake.” They worry it might lead to more gambling problems, take advantage of athletes, and threaten the integrity of college sports.
Major concerns include:
- Integrity and Risk: Critics fear betting on pro sports could harm college sports and might lead to corruption or misuse of athletes.
- Gambling Exposure: College athletes may be more vulnerable to gambling problems due to a lack of maturity and financial knowledge.
- Lack of Safeguards: There’s skepticism about whether existing measures are enough to protect athletes from the negative impacts of betting.
- Gambling Scandals: Recent scandals in pro sports heighten worries about allowing gambling in college sports.
The NCAA stresses that this potential change doesn’t mean they support sports betting for student-athletes. The delay allows more discussion, which could lead to the rule being canceled before it starts.
What Else is Being Done to Regulate Sports Betting?
Earlier this year, the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) elevated its initiative to educate people on the risks of gambling. It became the first NCAA Division III conference to collaborate with EPIC Global Solutions, a consultancy specializing in problem gambling, to enhance awareness and understanding of this critical issue.
In response to the changing sports betting environment across the United States, lawmakers reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act in March. Officially titled the Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act, this legislation seeks to address the public health challenges that come with legalized gambling
As the NCAA deals with this issue, protecting athletes and keeping college sports honest remains crucial. The talk about this rule raises bigger questions about how to responsibly handle sports betting in college settings. Whether the rule goes into effect or not, the discussions it has started are important for shaping future policies on college sports betting.
