Oct. 8 (UPI) — The NCAA adopted a proposal to allow Division I athletes and athletic departement staff members to bet on professional sports, officials announced Wednesday.
The rule change is pending approval by all three NCAA divisions. Divisions II and III are to consider the proposal at meetings later this month. If approved, the rule change will be effective Nov. 1.
NCAA rules prohibiting betting on college sports and sharing information about collegiate competitions with other bettors will remain in place.
“The enforcement staff continues to investigate and resolve cases involving sports betting quickly but thoroughly,” NCAA vice president of enforcement Jon Duncan said.
“Enforcement staff are investigating a significant number of cases that are specifically relevant to the NCAA’s mission of fair competition, and our focus will remain on those cases and those behaviors that impact the integrity of college sports most directly.”
The NCAA said that the Division I student-athlete advisory committee requested that the “change come with continued and enhanced education and support” for college athletes to “prevent problem gambling among student-athletes.”
Wednesday’s announcement came a month after the NCAA announced that a Fresno State men’s basketball player was found to have manipulated his performance, while conspiring with other players, for gambling purposes. The NCAA said it also is investigating 13 other student-athletes from six schools for alleged violations.
“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 NCAA chief medical officer Dr. Deena Casiero.
“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,” Casiero said.
“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.”
