The NCAA backpedaled on a previously-approved rule change that would have allowed student-athletes and athletic department staff, including those at the College, to bet on professional sports. NCAA membership voted to reject the change on Nov. 21. Although the governing bodies of all three divisions initially voted to approve the change in October, the Division I Board of Directors voted to delay the implementation of the new rule for a procedural period of 30 days.
The NCAA requires the approval of a two-thirds majority of schools to make revisions to any of its regulations. Just a day before the procedural period ended and the rule could go into effect, the NCAA met the necessary two-thirds majority needed to rescind its new sports betting rule. As sports betting rules are considered “common legislation,” the revision also applies to Division II and Division III.
While the proposed policy change would have allowed student-athletes to bet on sports, it still would have prohibited them from gambling on college sports and from sharing information about college competitions that could influence a bet.
The intended policy change came as sports betting grows increasingly popular. The practice is now legal in 38 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. An NCAA survey from April 2023 found that 58 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 22 had engaged in at least one sports betting activity. Critics of the rule argue that sports betting has negative repercussions for student-athletes.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, a voting member of the Division I Board, wrote a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker in opposition of sports betting. “The integrity of competition is directly threatened when anyone with insider access becomes involved in gambling,” he wrote. “Even when the wagers are placed on professional sports, the simple act of participating in gambling normalizes behavior, blurs boundaries and erodes judgment.”
Taylor Dulaney ’28, a member of the alpine ski team, told the Record that sports betting enhances his experience of following professional sports.“It just seems like another way to enjoy something that you love,” he told the Record. “There shouldn’t be a barrier for athletes to not do that just because they play a sport.”
“I’ve skied my whole life, but I love watching hockey. I love watching football. I’ve never played them, but being able to bet on something like that, I feel I would just be able to further enjoy watching it or going to games,” he said.
Charlie Maier ’26, a member of the men’s crew team, pointed out the unfairness of banning sports betting at the Div. III level. “I think banning Div. III athletes is ridiculous,” he told the Record. “The reason why sports betting is banned is because of a potential connection between Div. I and professional sports. And there’s really no link in Div. III. Like if I want to bet on the PGA [Professional Golfers’ Association] Tour, I’m not going to the PGA Tour. I don’t know anyone who will play on the PGA Tour.”
“The council emphasized in approving the rule change that the action is not an endorsement of sports betting, particularly for student-athletes,” reads the NCAA’s press release announcing the rule’s initial approval.
Jason Verdugo, chair of the Division III Management Council and athletics director at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, emphasized that the organization would continue its efforts to prevent the adverse effects of sports betting. “Our focus remains on education and harm reduction,” Verdugo wrote in the press release. “We want to make sure student-athletes understand the boundaries of permissible behavior and the risks that gambling can pose to their well-being and the integrity of college sports.”
The NCAA has educated over 100,000 student-athletes on the dangers of sports gambling through a partnership with EPIC Global Solutions, according to the NCAA Sports Betting page.
Despite the NCAA’s education push, sports betting continues to raise issues in college athletics. Two weeks ago, the NCAA permanently revoked the eligibility of six former men’s college basketball players for sports gambling and game manipulation.
