NCAA Considering Lifting Ban On Students Betting On Pro Sports

The NCAA could be set for a huge change as it considers lifting the ban on students betting on pro sports.

What Are The NCAA’s Rules On Gambling?

As it stands, student-athletes and coach or athletics staff members are not allowed to use online casinos to wager on intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competitions that are also played at NCAA level.

They can still use online sports betting apps to wager on horse racing, boxing, MMA or cricket.

Those who are found to have violated NCAA rules are at risk of various penalties including partial to permanent losses of eligibility.

Some rules vary by state – in Tennessee, it’s a misdemeanor for any NCAA athlete to bet on sports – while in Virginia the rule is specific to bets on ‘any event in a league in which such a person participates.’

In Kentucky, it’s illegal for athletes to bet on events in which they participate but also a misdemeanor for ‘spouses and family members’ to bet on those events too.

NCAA Board Of Directors Votes 21-1 In Favor Of Lifting Ban

There is believed to be a safe harbor, limited immunity or reduced penalties put in place for athletes who engage in sports betting and support measures will be offered for those who ‘seek help for problem gambling.’

Last year, former LSU wide receiver and current New England Patriot Kayshon Boutte was charged with felony computer fraud and misdemeanor underage gambling while playing in college.

The number of NCAA investigations into prohibited and underage betting has almost doubled each year but this is the first positive step in tackling a pressing issue.

Joe Lyons

Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable gambling websites. Joe specialises in long form content in the world of sports betting and gambling. Joe is recognised as an expert in sports fields such as horse racing, soccer, NFL and NBA.