Revising the System for Penalizing Sports Betting Violations in College Sports is Under Consideration by the NCAA
The NCAA has announced plans to advocate for states to institute sports betting legislation that safeguards competitive integrity and shields athletes from harassment. The organization also signaled its intention to reassess penalties for sports wagering violations.
Interest in the impending modifications to penalties runs high among college sports enthusiasts, especially in Iowa, where both the University of Iowa and Iowa State have seen athletes impacted. A notable example is Iowa football's Noah Shannon, a standout defensive end, who was suspended for the entire season, with no evidence suggesting he wagered on Iowa football games.
In a press release, NCAA President Charlie Baker stated, "We prioritize student-athlete well-being in our efforts around sports wagering, with this week's action related to reconsideration of penalties serving as an important step toward modernizing our approach to sports wagering."
The NCAA is concentrating primarily on revising the penalties for student-athletes who commit violations without betting on their own teams or games. Under the current wagering violation enforcement system, those who bet on sports other than their own face penalties, except if their wagers amount to less than $200. The NCAA is considering a series of revisions to the system, among them:
- On a first offense, eliminating penalties resulting in student-athletes being barred from competition—regardless of the total value of wagers, and requiring education on sports wagering rules and prevention.
- On a second offense, the possibility of withholding penalties, dependant on the value of the bet(s) in question.
- On a third or subsequent offense, the penalty could involve a loss of one full season of eligibility.
Essentially, the NCAA is contemplating a system that enables student-athletes to make the mistake of wagering on sports other than their own without being compelled to miss any action. Repeated violations of NCAA rules by wagering might result in more severe penalties. A final decision on the rules is expected by the end of the month, and it is possible that athletes like Shannon could have their eligibility restored immediately if the rules change.
Early in 2023, harassment of student-athletes from frustrated bettors became a prominent issue. In a January postgame press conference, Dayton men's basketball head coach Anthony Grant criticized his players for receiving online harassment from bettors who had bet on the Flyers yet lost money on their games. Mobile sportsbooks became operational in Ohio during the same month.
In the months that followed, the NCAA, universities, and outside stakeholders have worked together to protect athletes and coaches from verbal abuse from bettors. U.S. Integrity partnered with RealResponse to establish Athlete Alert, an anonymous tip line available for athletes, coaches, and officials to report harassment or match-fixing accusations.
Baker spoke on the matter in a press release saying, "We strive to teach student-athletes prudence when it comes to sports betting, and given the rapid expansion of this new industry, we are eager to collaborate with legislators, regulators, and industry leaders to protect student-athletes from harassment and threats."
Ohio's legislature passed a bill barring individuals from wagering in the state if they are found harassing athletes online or in person. The NCAA is aiming to encourage other states to impose similar legislation. Baker, who has notable legislative experience, having served as governor of Massachusetts prior to assuming the role of NCAA president, may wield some influence in shaping sports betting legislation and broader regulatory efforts across states.
West Virginia proposed similar legislation to Ohio's during its last legislative session, but the bill did not pass. Del. Shawn Fluharty, who introduced the legislation, recently informed Sports Handle that he is optimistic about its chances of passing in 2024.
Alongside the NCAA's requests for changes to state legislation, the organization shared a document detailing its desired requirements in future and existing legislation to better safeguard athletes and maintain competitive integrity. The NCAA requests that states:
- Establish mandatory harassment hotlines.
- Have the power to restrict bettors who are under investigation for harassing athletes.
- delegate responsibility to operators or gaming commissions to monitor potential harassment or coercive behavior from bettors.
- if harassment is discovered, forward harassment reports to law enforcement or other gambling enforcement agencies.
- Educate bettors and gambling personnel.
Monitoring all online harassment may pose a challenge for operators and regulators, as bettors often utilize burner accounts to verbally abuse athletes online. It remains unclear what type of gambling education the NCAA intends to mandate.
In addition to these requests, the NCAA included requirements for protecting competitive integrity, including:
- States maintaining a prohibited bettors list.
- College sports experts be given a "seat at the table" when regulators or operators make decisions about college sports, such as allowing prop bets.
- Preventing anyone under 21 years old from betting.
- Marketing materials must feature details on harassment hotlines.
- Provide additional funding to support the at-risk higher education student population.
The NCAA requests take into account student-athlete feedback on how they are impacted by wagering. Morgyn Wynne, vice chair of the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, remarked, "With the legalization of sports betting, it is crucial that we take proactive measures to protect student-athletes from potential negative interactions with bettors. Thirty-eight states have distinct laws, but one thing that needs to remain consistent is prioritizing the student-athlete experience and preventing harmful activity that threatens the integrity of sports."
- The NCAA's revised approach to sports wagering penalties might allow college athletes like Noah Shannon to avoid missing competition due to wagering violations, as long as their bets are not on their own teams or games.
- If an athlete is found to have repeatedly violated NCAA rules by wagering, they could face more severe penalties, including a loss of a full season of eligibility.
- In response to online harassment of student-athletes by frustrated bettors, the NCAA, universities, and outside stakeholders have collaborated to establish Athlete Alert, an anonymous tip line for reporting such incidents.
- The NCAA has recommended that states establish mandatory harassment hotlines, delegate responsibility to operators or gaming commissions to monitor potential harassment or coercive behavior from bettors, and provide education to bettors and gambling personnel, among other measures, to better safeguard athletes and maintain competitive integrity.
