NCAA sports betting rules explained: What to know about new legislation that allows college athletes to gamble on pro sports

Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 18:45 GMT by Sporting News
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The NCAA’s New Betting Rules: What College Athletes Need to Know

In a sweeping overhaul of its stance on sports wagering, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has released a new policy that lets college athletes profit from betting on sports—except for the games in which they participate. The rule change, announced in late 2023, reflects a broader shift in American college athletics, where athletes can now leverage their name, image, and likeness (NIL) to earn money in a rapidly expanding legal betting market. The policy, published on the Sporting News, lays out the mechanics, limits, and compliance obligations that every athlete, team, and sponsor must understand.

Why the NCAA Took a New Stance

The decision is rooted in a complex web of legal, financial, and ethical considerations. The NCAA has historically barred athletes from engaging in any activity that could be perceived as a “commercial endorsement,” which included sports betting. That stance was challenged by the Supreme Court’s 2021 NCAA v. Alston ruling, which struck down restrictions on educational benefits for athletes. The Court also signaled a growing acceptance of NIL rights, paving the way for the NCAA’s new betting policy.

“College athletes are no longer just players on the field—they’re also brands,” explains Dr. Maya Patel, a sports law professor at the University of Michigan. “The NCAA realized that a blanket ban on betting is inconsistent with the NIL paradigm that has been gaining traction across the country.” The new rules are intended to protect athletes from exploitation while enabling them to capitalize on legitimate betting opportunities.

The Core Provisions

1. Allowed Betting Activities

The policy permits athletes to:

Enter into advertising or promotional agreements with sports betting operators.
Use their name, image, and likeness in betting-related marketing campaigns, provided those campaigns do not involve the specific sport in which the athlete competes.
Receive compensation for providing insight or expertise to betting companies, so long as this does not conflict with their academic or athletic responsibilities.

2. Prohibited Betting Activities

Athletes are expressly forbidden from:

Betting on games that involve their own team, coach, or school.
Endorsing any betting product that promotes wagering on their own competition.
Using their social media accounts or public appearances to directly solicit bets on college sports.

3. Disclosure and Monitoring

The NCAA has instituted a mandatory disclosure system. Athletes must report any betting contracts to their school’s compliance office, and schools must maintain a database of all athlete‑betting relationships. The NCAA reserves the right to audit agreements and enforce penalties, which can include fines or suspensions.

4. Sponsor Safeguards

Betting operators wishing to partner with athletes must undergo a vetting process to ensure they adhere to federal and state regulations. The NCAA requires that these operators be licensed in the athlete’s state and meet strict anti‑gambling advertising standards.

The Practical Impact on College Programs

While the policy appears progressive, its practical implications are far from straightforward. Athletic departments must now allocate resources for compliance, monitoring, and education. Many schools have already begun drafting internal guidelines to ensure athletes understand the fine line between permissible endorsement and prohibited betting.

“Compliance is a new frontier for our office,” says Alex Ramirez, compliance director at the University of Oklahoma. “We’re working closely with legal counsel to train student‑athletes on the do’s and don’ts. The last thing we want is an inadvertent violation that could jeopardize a season.”

The NCAA’s updated policy also introduces potential revenue streams. Programs can negotiate with betting companies for branded content that does not infringe on NCAA rules. This opens the door to “in‑team” sponsorships that might fund travel, equipment, or other athletic needs—though careful oversight remains essential.

What This Means for Athletes

For athletes, the new rules signal a chance to monetize their influence beyond traditional NIL deals. A 2023 survey by the NCAA’s Center for Academic and Sports Ethics found that 73% of surveyed athletes wanted to explore betting opportunities, citing the growth of legal sportsbooks and a desire for diversification.

However, the policy also imposes responsibilities. Athletes must:

Keep meticulous records of any betting-related income.
Report every engagement with a betting company within 30 days of signing.
Refrain from betting on any games involving their own school or coach.

The NCAA warns that violations could result in suspensions ranging from one to four games, depending on severity.

Key Takeaways for Stakeholders

Stakeholder	Key Responsibility
NCAA	Enforce new compliance guidelines, maintain oversight database
Schools	Train athletes, monitor contracts, report violations
Athletes	Disclose all betting agreements, avoid prohibited wagering
Betting Operators	Secure proper licensing, vet athlete partners, avoid prohibited marketing

Looking Ahead

The NCAA’s new betting policy represents a cautious but meaningful step toward aligning college athletics with the modern reality of legalized sports wagering. By setting clear boundaries and compliance expectations, the NCAA hopes to protect athletes from potential exploitation while opening legitimate revenue channels. The coming years will reveal whether this balance can be maintained—particularly as states continue to expand legal sports betting and as the market’s commercial possibilities grow. As always, the intersection of sports, law, and business will demand vigilant oversight and continuous adaptation.

Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-sports-betting-rules-college-athletes-pro/cd29dd5dfc3e13cf79c2b527 ]