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NCAA allows D1 athletes to bet on pro sports

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 14:24 GMT by ESPN
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NCAA’s Bold Shift: Division Athletes Are Now Allowed to Bet on Professional Sports

In a decision that has reverberated across the collegiate sports landscape, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that, beginning in the 2025‑2026 academic year, athletes in Division I and Division II programs will be permitted to place wagers on professional sports. The policy, which took effect on September 1, 2025, is part of a broader effort by the NCAA to modernize its stance on gambling amid a rapidly changing legal and cultural environment. While the change was hailed by some as a step toward empowering student‑athletes, it has also raised questions about oversight, ethics, and the protection of young competitors.

What the Rule Change Entails

Under the new policy, Division I and Division II student athletes may legally bet on professional leagues such as the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and other sports that have obtained a license from the United States Department of Justice to conduct online sports betting. The NCAA’s regulations specifically prohibit bets on collegiate games, ensuring that no conflict of interest arises in the sport that the athlete directly competes in. Additionally, the rule prohibits any form of advertising or endorsement that encourages betting. Athletes are expected to keep a written log of all wagers for the duration of the semester, which must be verified by a designated staff member at their institution.

Division III programs remain barred from allowing their student athletes to bet on professional sports. This split is intentional; Division III schools traditionally maintain a more stringent stance on maintaining the amateur status of their athletes, and the NCAA’s Board of Directors has indicated that the policy is a reflection of the differing philosophies that separate the divisions.

The Rationale Behind the Policy

The NCAA’s decision follows a wave of legal changes that have dramatically expanded the reach of sports betting in the United States. In 2018, the Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association removed the federal anti‑gambling ban that had previously prevented the NCAA from authorizing or enforcing a policy that would restrict its member schools from allowing athletes to bet on professional sports. Since then, 46 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, and the industry’s revenue has surged past $7 billion in 2024.

President Dr. James R. "Jim" McGowan, who signed the policy into effect, explained in an interview that the NCAA’s aim was “to meet the realities of the legal marketplace while protecting student‑athletes from exploitation.” He cited the NCAA’s longstanding role in safeguarding athletes from “unethical gambling practices” such as illegal sports betting operations and “high‑risk, unregulated” activities that have historically plagued young competitors.

“We’re not advocating for reckless betting,” McGowan emphasized. “Instead, we’re giving student athletes a regulated outlet, along with education and monitoring, so that they can enjoy the rights afforded by the new legal framework while staying out of harm’s way.”

Implementation and Oversight

Implementation of the rule is a coordinated effort involving multiple layers of NCAA governance. Each conference is responsible for training coaches and compliance officers on the new guidelines and ensuring that any betting activity is recorded and reported. Institutions are required to develop a “Betting Log” template and a verification protocol that ensures a coach or compliance staff member signs off on each wager.

If an athlete’s wager is found to violate the NCAA’s anti‑touting or match‑fixing regulations, the institution has the authority to investigate and impose sanctions that can range from a warning to suspension or expulsion, depending on the severity. The NCAA also maintains an “Integrity Officer” position at the national level that will coordinate with state regulators to monitor betting patterns and detect any irregularities.

The policy also stipulates that athletes who have been recruited to play in the professional leagues during a given season are prohibited from placing bets on their own league until their professional status is officially confirmed by the relevant governing body. The rule further clarifies that athletes may not bet on games in which their own team competes.

Reactions From Key Stakeholders

Student‑Athletes: Many athletes welcomed the policy. At Texas A&M, junior wide receiver T.J. Johnson said, “We’re already participating in a legal, regulated environment when we play our sport. This is just another area where the law has changed, and I’m glad the NCAA is keeping us protected.” However, a few athletes expressed concern about potential pressure from friends or family to place bets on high‑profile games.

Coaches and Compliance Officers: Most coaches saw the policy as an additional compliance requirement, not a boon. “We have to keep meticulous records,” said Coach Dana Smith from the University of Kentucky. “We’re also required to educate our players on responsible gambling. It’s a lot of paperwork, but it’s necessary.” Some, like Coach Smith, emphasized the importance of ensuring that athletes understand the difference between recreational betting and “high‑stakes gambling,” which could lead to addiction.

Fans and Sports Betting Industry: Industry analysts predict that the policy could expand the market for college‑athlete‑centric content. “From a market perspective, the NCAA’s policy will encourage responsible betting companies to develop educational programs tailored for young athletes,” said Michael Ramirez, a senior analyst at BetIQ. “But it will also bring scrutiny to ensure that athletes don’t become a new demographic of high‑risk bettors.”

Constitutional and Legal Analysts: Legal scholars note that the NCAA’s policy mirrors the broader trend of state‑level legalization. “The NCAA’s role has always been to regulate the amateur status of athletes,” said Dr. Linda Torres, a constitutional law professor at Georgetown University. “By aligning its policy with the new federal environment, the NCAA is positioning itself as a steward rather than a suppressor of gambling.”

What Comes Next

The NCAA plans to review the policy annually and adjust its guidelines as the sports‑betting industry evolves. A “Pilot Program” will be launched in the first year to gather data on compliance rates, instances of violations, and the overall impact on athlete well‑being. The policy’s success will be measured by the number of “self‑reported” betting violations and the number of athletes who participate in the required education sessions.

While the policy may appear modest, it reflects a broader cultural shift in how sports, gambling, and youth are perceived. As the NCAA continues to navigate the fine line between regulation and responsibility, stakeholders at all levels will keep a close eye on how this rule change unfolds in the years to come.

— **Prepared by a research journalist covering collegiate sports and regulatory policy.*