NCAA Contemplates Permitting Student Athletes and Athletic Staff to Engage in Sports Betting

The NCAA is considering changing its policy on sports betting for student athletes and team staff, according to Mark Hicks, managing director of enforcement for the NCAA. The discussions will involve all three division leaders and may lead to a more liberalized approach to sports betting.

Hicks made the announcement at the recent SBC Summit North America, where he mentioned that the NCAA is evaluating the need for a uniform sports betting policy across all divisions. The discussion will also explore the possibility of allowing student athletes and team staff to bet on college and professional sports.

The NCAA has been reviewing its policies on an ongoing basis, with the most recent update in June 2023 that made reinstatement guidelines for student-athletes found participating in sports betting more lenient. The previous guidelines recommended a loss of one full season of eligibility for any form of sports betting.

Hicks emphasized the importance of separating technical violations from integrity concerns, such as betting on one’s own school or team, which could result in more significant penalties. The NCAA has also been pushing for states to prohibit college player prop bets.

Overall, the NCAA is open to modernizing its sports betting guidelines and will continue to evaluate and evolve its policies over time. Student athletes found engaging in activities to influence game outcomes or betting on their own team face harsh penalties, including potential permanent loss of eligibility. The NCAA will consider factors such as the dollar value of the bet and the circumstances surrounding the incident when determining reinstatement terms.