NCAA Student-Athletes Could Be Allowed to Bet on Pro Sports Before the End of 2025

NCAA student-athletes could be allowed to bet on professional sports in the next couple of months thanks to a rule change that was proposed. The NCAA is looking to move towards an approach that promotes education and doesn’t exclude student-athletes from the action on the sports betting sites.

NCAA announces proposal that would let student-athletes bet on pro sports

Last week, the Division I Administrative Committee announced that it adopted a proposal that would let student-athletes and members of the athletic staff department bet on professional sports. According to the NCAA, 67 per cent of college students participate in sports betting on a somewhat regular basis.

“The administrative committee was clear in its discussion today that it remains concerned about the risks associated with all forms of sports gambling but ultimately voted to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers. This change allows the NCAA, the conferences, and the member schools to focus on protecting the integrity of college games while, at the same time, encouraging healthy habits for student-athletes who choose to engage in betting activities on professional sports,” said Josh Whitman, Illinois athletics director and chair of the committee. The rules for sports betting and the betting sites continue to be a big topic of discussion in the US, Canada, and other places around the world.

According to the NCAA, the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee requested that the sports betting rule change for student-athletes and members of the athletic staff department is accompanied with ongoing education and support for college athletes to prevent problem gambling among student-athletes. In order to be implemented, all three NCAA divisions - including Division II and Division III  - must approve of the rule change. If approved, the rule change, according to the NCAA, will be effective Nov. 1.

NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Statement

The NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee provided a statement. “We believe this change represents meaningful progress toward a culture that prioritizes education, transparency, and support over punishment. By removing unnecessary barriers, we are hopeful that student-athletes and athletics administrators will feel empowered to come forward, seek help, and engage in open dialogue without fear.”

The NCAA listed some of its efforts to give student-athletes educational resources that focus on the impact of sports betting. The NCAA Sport Science Institute provided a document about harm reduction considerations. The NCAA claims over 100,000 student-athletes, administrators, and coaches, participated in education efforts with EPIC Global Solutions. Over 50,000 student-athletes and prospects watched and completed the NCAA’s e-learning module on problem gambling harms and integrity risks associated with sports betting.

A new approach

"Abstinence-only approaches to social challenges for college-aged individuals are often not as successful as approaches that focus on education about risks and open dialogue," said Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer.

"The NCAA will continue to collaborate with schools to help them provide student-athletes with meaningful education and other resources for student-athletes who choose to participate in betting on professional sports. This harm reduction approach gives schools an opportunity to help student-athletes make educated decisions, prevent risky behavior and seek support without fear of impacting their eligibility."

The NCAA enforcement staff’s sports betting violations caseload has increased in recent years. And most violations the staff are pursuing involve conduct that impacts college sports’ integrity. “The enforcement staff continues to investigate and resolve cases involving sports betting quickly but thoroughly, " said Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement.