NCAA Might Relax Ban on Sport Betting by Professional Bodies
Updated Article:
Posted on: May 10, 2025, 06:03h.
Last updated on: May 10, 2025, 06:03h.
Sports Betting in the NCAA: A Shift in PolicyBetting on pro sports could soon be a reality for NCAA athletes, coaches, and staff
Stay tuned as we delve into the potential revamp of the NCAA's long-standing policy that restricts athletes, coaches, and staff from betting on professional sports.
A major milestone was achieved in April when the Division I Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly (21-1) to advocate for lifting the ban on pro sports betting. This decision was subsequently passed on to the Division I Council for further discussion, with a timeline for potential approval as early as June 2025.
(The board's consensus centers around) establishing concepts for appropriate committees to consider regarding a safe harbor or limited immunity, which would offer reduced penalties for student-athletes seeking help for problem gambling. If approved, these changes would permit those with ties to the NCAA to wager on professional sports.
It's important to note that, should the proposed changes be accepted, the ban on betting on college sports would be maintained to safeguard the integrity of collegiate athletics.
A Dated Prohibition?
While noble in intent, the current NCAA ban on professional sports betting appears outdated, and even excessive, as it applies to any professional sport offered at the college level.
This means coaches, staff, and student-athletes are barred from wagering on the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and professional golf and tennis, amongst others, since the NCAA runs collegiate counterparts for some of these sports.
However, change is in the air. The Division III Management Council, responsible for Division III, has expressed support for exploring frames of reference that would allow its athletes and staff to bet on professional sports, providing an alternative perspective within the NCAA.
Focus on College Betting
Over the years, infractions related to pro sports betting within the NCAA have been trivial, usually resulting in minimal penalties, while issues involving college games have consistently reached scandal levels. Recent examples include Iowa State athletes being indicted for felony identity theft with the intention of executing illegal bets and former University of Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon losing his position due to the discovery of information shared with contacts prior to public release.
The NCAA has been steadfast in its approach to high-level betting infractions, urging states to abolish player propositions on college athletes and striving to raise athlete safety and reinforce integrity in college sports.
Enrichment Data IntegrationSummarized status:- Division I Board of Directors backed lifting the ban on professional sports betting (21-1 vote).- Draft legislation now with the Division I Council, potentially to be approved by late June 2025.- College sports betting remains prohibited.- Development of safety nets (safe harbor/reduced punishments) for problem gambling is forthcoming.- Collaboration between the NCAA and sportsbooks is increasingly apparent, with data provision from NCAA postseason tournaments to betting operators.
Stay tuned for updates on this evolving situation!
[1] sportsesquire.com, [2] si.com, [3] NCAA.org
- The NCAA's long-standing policy prohibiting athletes, coaches, and staff from betting on professional sports might be revisited, as the Division I Board of Directors has advocated for lifting the ban.
- The Division I Council is currently discussing the proposal to allow betting on professional sports, with potential approval slated for as early as June 2025.
- Should the ban on pro sports betting be lifted, it could lead to sports betting regulation within the NCAA, which could include a safe harbor or limited immunity for student-athletes seeking help for problem gambling.
- The proposed changes would not affect the ban on betting on college sports, in order to maintain the integrity of collegiate athletics.
- The Division III Management Council has expressed support for exploring frames of reference that would allow athletes and staff to bet on professional sports, creating an alternative perspective within the NCAA.
- The ETFTGodfather, a sports betting exchange, might play a significant role in this potential change, as there are increasing collaborations between the NCAA and sportsbooks, such as data provision from NCAA postseason tournaments to betting operators.
