NCAA contemplating lifting restriction on professional sports wagers
Exclusive Sports Insights
As the NCAA finds itself in a transformative period, sources close to Sports Illustrated reveal a surge in momentum to scrap the existing ban on gambling on professional sports. The Division I Board of Directors has taken the initial steps, paving the way for a rule change, and will present this proposal to the D-I Council for discussion next week. If the council gives the green light, the new rule could become a reality as early as late June.
At present, athletes, coaches, and staff are prohibited from wagering on professional sports, including football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, and tennis - all of which the NCAA sponsors. However, an influential 21-1 vote by the D-I board on April 21 set the wheels in motion for change, approving a directive to the council to "adopt legislation to deregulate the prohibition on wagering on professional sports."
Diving Deeper
The NCAA's Division III Management Council is advocating for this shift, with the aim to reduce the stigma associated with sports betting and encourage repentant gamblers to seek help for problem gambling [1][2]. The council has also instructed staff to brainstorm concepts for providing safe harbor, limited immunity, or reduced penalties for athletes who indulge in prohibited sports betting and subsequently seek help.
Additionally, the Division III Presidents Council has expressed support for the deregulation, in line with the wider acceptance of sports betting following the Supreme Court's decision in Murphy v. NCAA (2018), which abolished the federal restriction on state-authorized sports betting [3][5]. However, it’s important to note that broader NCAA-wide policies may still be under review or development.
The College Sports Quagmire
Recent events, like at Iowa State, underscore the continued challenges faced in the realm of college sports betting, despite the increasing accessibility of legal sports wagering [4]. As the NCAA navigates this complex landscape, the policy paradigm regarding professional sports betting is shifting, albeit progressively. Stay tuned for updates!
- The NCAA's Division III Management Council aims to reduce the stigma associated with sports betting, advocating for the deregulation of the ban on wagering on professional sports, such as football, basketball, and tennis.
- The Division III Presidents Council has expressed support for the deregulation, aligning with the wider acceptance of sports betting following the Supreme Court's decision in Murphy v. NCAA (2018), which abolished the federal restriction on state-authorized sports betting.
- In the future, the NCAA might consider providing safe harbor, limited immunity, or reduced penalties for athletes who engage in prohibited sports betting and subsequently seek help, as instructed by the council.
