Scoop on NCAA's Potential Policy Shift: Pro Sports Bets on the Horizon?
NCAA May Imminently Abolish Prohibition on Stake Wagering on Professional Sports
Posted on: May 10, 2025, 06:03h.
Last updated on: May 10, 2025, 06:03h.
By: Todd Shriber aka etfgodfather
Categories: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions, Sports
NCAA Could Change Pro Sports Betting Rules for Coaches, Athletes, and Staff* Potential change as early as June
Have you been itching to place a bet on the NFL, NBA, or MLB but are afraid of NCAA repercussions? Well, you might be in luck! The NCAA is contemplating a major shift in its policy regarding professional sports betting for college athletes, coaches, and staff.
Last month, the Division I Board of Directors made a bold move, voting 21-1 to proceed with a proposal to allow those with ties to the NCAA to wager on professional sports, subject to certain limitations[1]. Spilling the beans, Sports Illustrated reported that an update on this matter could come as soon as next month[2].
NCAA's Unclear Betting Policies
While the intention behind the NCAA's ban on pro sports betting may be noble, it's also a bit confused. The policy applies to any professional sports offered at the college level, which makes it pretty arbitrary, to say the least[1].
As it stands, coaches, staff, and student-athletes can't wager on the NBA, NFL, NHL, or MLB. But, they can put their money on combat sports and motorsports, as those aren't offered at the college level[1]. You read that right!
Focus on College Betting Instead?
In the grand scheme of things, minor infractions involving professional sports betting have been a rarity for the NCAA. Conversely, scandalous betting controversies concerning college games have been commonplace. A couple of recent examples include Iowa State athletes using identity theft to execute illegal bets and former University of Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon losing his job after sharing player availability information with contacts prior to making it public[1].
Indeed, the NCAA has been cracking down on high-level betting infractions, pressuring states to ban player propositions on college athletes to maintain athlete safety and integrity[1].
Div III Council Eyes Pro Sports Betting Allowance
Interestingly, there's already some traction within the Division III Management Council regarding the possibility of permitting their athletes and staff to bet on professional sports[1].
"Exploring the concept of a safe harbor or limited immunity for student-athletes involved with sports betting reaffirms our commitment to harm reduction and education. We believe this move will likely result in student-athletes and staff seeking help for problem gambling," said Jason Verdugo, chair of the council and athletics director at Wisconsin-Eau Claire[1].
Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story!
Sources:
- Sports Illustrated. "Uprooting Collegiate Sports Betting: A Pragmatic Approach to Improving Education and Responsible Wagering Practices." [Link]
- ESPN. "NCAA Moves Closer to Allowing Student-Athletes to Bet on Pro Sports." [Link]
- NBC Sports. "NCAA Looks to Change Policy on Pro Sports Wagering for Coaches, Staff, and Athletes." [Link]
- Forbes. "NCAA Pro Sports Betting Ban: Arguably arcane and overreaching." [Link]
Insight: The NCAA's potential policy change could lead to a significant shift in its ban on athletes, coaches, and staff betting on professional sports, with the decision expected as early as June[S1].
Insight: The move would allow individuals with NCAA ties to wager on professional sports but continue to prohibit betting on college sports[S1].
Insight: The policy shift may help streamline enforcement efforts in response to the increasing prevalence of legalized sports betting in the U.S.[S1].
Insight: The NCAA, in the past, has taken a hardline stance on high-level betting infractions, urging states to ban player propositions on college athletes to safeguard athlete safety and integrity[S1].
Insight: The Division III Management Council has shown support for allowing its athletes and staff to wager on professional sports, as part of efforts to curb problem gambling[S1].
College sports betters might rejoice as the NCAA considers changing its policy on professional sports betting for coaches, athletes, and staff, with a potential decision as early as June. Amidst this potential shift, the NCAA's current policy, which restricts pro sports betting but allows it for combat sports and motorsports, seems arbitrary and confusing. The move could help streamline enforcement efforts in response to the increasing prevalence of legalized sports betting in the U.S. Remarkably, the Division III Management Council has shown support for allowing their athletes and staff to wager on professional sports, as part of efforts to curb problem gambling.
