A few years ago, the NCAA’s stance on sports wagering was clear: Don’t bet.
The organization didn’t want players and coaches wagering, and the NCAA also wasn’t thrilled about having any relationship with regulated sports betting. That attitude seems to be shifting, as NCAA officials are aware of the increased fan engagement legalized betting brings.
A changing attitude toward sports betting doesn’t just include a growing appreciation for the external benefits of sports wagering, such as increasing fan interest. The NCAA’s views of how to approach sports betting internally are also changing, with an increased focus on protecting athletes, rather than punishing those who break rules.
“The issue for our schools today is not just bylaw 10.3, that’s our sports wagering law,” Mark Hicks, the NCAA’s managing director of enforcement, said during a Tuesday G2E in Las Vegas. “Historically, we have educated and focused on whether or not student athletes are eligible, and that is a big part of this, but as we’ve seen with the legalization of sports betting … it’s helping our schools understand they need really good infrastructure for mental health challenges that are coming.”
New punishment rules? 2y5gs
The NCAA’s emphasis on mental health across member schools helps explain why it is reviewing its current penalties for student-athletes who commit wagering violations. While proposed policies would still result in lengthy suspensions or permanent eligibility loss for those who jeopardize competitive integrity by betting on their own games, the changes would lessen the blow for more minor violations.
Revised policies could allow athletes who wager on sports other than their own to receive education related to the NCAA’s sports betting policies, rather than being suspended. Repeat violations could lead to suspensions.
The policy, if officially adopted, would be more forgiving than the current rules.
“We continue to put student-athlete well-being front and center in the Association’s efforts around sports wagering, including this week’s action related to reconsideration of penalties that believe have been overly punitive to student-athletes,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a press release. “This is an important step toward modernizing the NCAA’s approach to sports wagering.”
Tuesday, the NCAA announced the creation of its first sports betting e-learning module, which is available to member athletes. Lessons within the module are delivered by former student-athletes, and the lessons cover topics like problem gambling. The hope is to give athletes another resource to help them understand potential harms created by sports wagering.
“One of the first things I did when I took over as NCAA president was gather as much information as possible about sports betting on college campuses,” Baker said in a press release. “This educational resource is directly informed by that data. We believe this new program will help protect student-athletes from the risks that come with sports wagering.”
Protecting athletes from harassment 3s4n37
The NCAA’s changing attitude toward sports betting also means placing more value on popular discussion point earlier this year, and it’s one the NCAA wants addressed.
The NCAA announced last week that it’s advocating for state legislators and regulators to adopt laws and policies designed to limit or punish bettors harassing athletes. West Virginia legislators are expected to seriously consider a similar bill to Ohio’s in 2024.
“It’s fascinating to me how much vitriol and anger can be thrust upon college athletes and officials and coaches, and that’s a real challenge for us,” Hicks said.
Prior to 2023, the NCAA often looked at sports betting through a negative, reactionary lens. The focus was on punishments and educating athletes on how to avoid breaking rules. That’s not going away, but the NCAA also wants to emphasize protecting athletes and their mental health.
