During its two-day virtual meeting this week, the NCAA’s Division III Management Council took action to support legislation on deregulating betting on professional sports.
Student-Athletes, Staff Will Seek Help For Problem Gambling?
According to the NCAA’s news release, the council directed staff to “develop concepts for the appropriate Division III committees regarding a safe harbor, limited immunity or reduced penalties for student-athletes who engage in prohibited sports betting but seek help for problem gambling.”
“Exploring the concept of a safe harbor or limited immunity for student-athletes involved with sports betting reaffirms that harm reduction and education will continue to be paramount. We are seeking to deregulate betting on professional sports because we believe it will be more likely that student-athletes and staff will seek help for problem gambling,” said Jason Verdugo, chair of the council and athletics director at Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
The Division III Management Council also approved a proposal “to deregulate legislation about financial donations from outside organizations and allow for schools and conferences to pursue partnerships and sponsorships with professional sports organizations.”
NCAA's Division III Management Council Supports Deregulation of Pro Sports Betting and handles the implementation of policies adopted by the Association’s Board of Governors and Division III Presidents Council. The Management Council is able to sponsor legislative proposals and make interpretations of Division III’s bylaws.Eligibility Pilot Waiver Program
NCAA's Division III Management Council Supports Deregulation of Pro Sports BettingThis pilot program will offer expanded pathways for student-athletes to pursue their academic goals and complete their participation opportunity.
The Presidents Council will consider the recommendation and take final action during its meeting later this month. If the program is approved, schools could submit waiver requests for the 2025-26 academic year.
Coaches Connect Program
NCAA's Division III Management Council Supports Deregulation of Pro Sports BettingThe program’s objective is to prepare coaches to make informed decisions and collaborate with athletics administrators and their conference office.
The program would have a head coach representative from each conference that sponsors the sport, the NCAA Division III championships manager, sport and rules committee members, a Championships Committee representative, a Division III academic and membership affairs staff member, and a coach’s association representative.
Of course, the program will be implemented for three sports in 2025-26. Four videoconferences will be held between September and June to discuss problems that impact each sport.
Jose is an iGaming analyst with wide experience within the sector. He has been working as content writer on casino and betting websites for more than 10 years, contributing on websites like Pokerlistings, Casinobee, Betpack among others, sharing his insights and perspective for the future ofthe iGaming market.
