NCAA Warns of Growing Threat: Student-Athletes Betting on Their Own Performances
The NCAA has raised alarm over a growing issue: student-athletes betting on their own performances. Mark Hicks, the NCAA's managing director of enforcement, has warned about the ease of access to betting platforms, including daily fantasy sports (DFS), which could tempt athletes to wager on their own stats during March Madness. This concern, unlike traditional match-fixing, does not involve deception but raises integrity risks during major events like the women's and men's March Madness tournaments.
Hicks' comments come as the NCAA works to persuade state and federal legislators to restrict collegiate player prop bets. The organization is worried about the rise in bettors' harassment towards athletes. Currently, NCAA rules strictly prohibit student-athletes, coaches, and staff from betting on any sport it oversees, including the women's and men's March Madness tournaments. Even participating in fantasy contests or filling out a March Madness bracket for money could lead to ineligibility.
Hicks highlighted the challenges of preventing student-athletes from engaging in betting, whether legal or not, especially during high-profile events like the women's and men's March Madness tournaments. He noted that this issue is becoming commonplace and poses an immediate threat to fair play.
The NCAA, the very institution overseeing collegiate sports, is taking steps to restrict betting on college athletes during the women's and men's March Madness tournaments. It aims to protect the integrity of competitions and shield athletes from potential harassment. As March Madness approaches, the organization is reminding athletes, coaches, and staff of the strict betting prohibitions in place for both the women's and men's tournaments.
