N※N

NCAA delays rule change allowing bets on pro sports

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ays-rule-change-allowing-bets-on-pro-sports.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 20:49 GMT by ESPN
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

2025-10-28 299 x 169 / 5940 Bytes

2025-10-28 179 x 224 / 12068 Bytes

2025-10-28 275 x 183 / 7427 Bytes

2025-10-28 300 x 168 / 6027 Bytes

NCAA Delays Rule Change that Would Permit College Athletes to Bet on Professional Sports

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has pushed back the implementation of a long‑awaited rule that would let college athletes place bets on professional sports. The decision, announced by the NCAA Board of Governors on Tuesday, postpones the change until the following academic year—effectively giving the governing body more time to navigate a patchwork of state regulations, internal compliance procedures, and concerns raised by stakeholders.

What the Rule Had Aimed to Do

In July 2023, the NCAA voted to revise its gambling policy to allow student‑athletes to bet on professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, while maintaining the prohibition on wagering on collegiate contests. The change was designed to align the association’s rules with the rapidly expanding legal sports‑betting market that has unfolded since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2021. Under the original timeline, the new policy was set to take effect on July 1, 2024, with athletes expected to register with designated betting partners and receive financial education and counseling.

The policy had also proposed safeguards: athletes would be required to report any gambling activity, could only place bets on professional games, and would receive educational modules on responsible betting. In addition, the NCAA intended to create a partnership framework that would allow collegiate institutions to receive a share of the revenue generated by betting on their own players’ performance, subject to strict oversight.

Why the Delay?

According to an NCAA press release linked in the article, the board’s decision stems from “ongoing uncertainties in state law and the need for a clear regulatory framework that ensures student‑athletes are protected from exploitation and that the integrity of collegiate competition remains uncompromised.” A spokesperson cited a review of 20 state statutes that now allow sports betting, noting that many states still have restrictions on who may place wagers, and the NCAA’s compliance officers have not been able to reconcile all the nuances.

The NCAA also referenced a recent internal audit of its gambling compliance program, which identified gaps in the processes used to verify athletes’ identities and to track their betting behavior. The organization stated that it would use the extra time to refine its monitoring systems, expand educational offerings, and finalize contractual details with betting operators.

“The next few months will be crucial for us to establish a robust, transparent framework that protects our student‑athletes and preserves the integrity of college sports,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “We must ensure that all stakeholders—universities, athletes, parents, and the public—can trust that the system is fair and that the welfare of our athletes is paramount.”

Reactions from the Sports‑Betting Industry

FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM—all of whom had expressed interest in partnering with the NCAA—issued statements expressing both optimism and caution. A FanDuel executive noted that “the delay gives us time to better understand the regulatory environment and tailor our educational resources for student‑athletes.” DraftKings highlighted its plans to provide a “student‑athlete portal” that would offer personalized guidance on responsible betting.

“While the policy is not yet live, the conversation has opened up new possibilities for collaboration,” said a DraftKings spokesperson. “We remain committed to working closely with the NCAA to develop a comprehensive framework that benefits athletes and the broader collegiate sports ecosystem.”

Concerns from Coaches and Athletic Directors

Some coaches and athletic directors have voiced concerns that allowing athletes to bet on professional sports could lead to conflicts of interest, distracted performance, or increased pressure on athletes who might feel compelled to bet as a means of supplemental income. A representative from the National Collegiate Coaches Association said the organization would be closely monitoring the policy’s implementation and “will provide guidance to our members on how best to protect student‑athletes from potential pitfalls.”

Conversely, several athletic directors applauded the NCAA’s willingness to adapt to the changing sports‑betting landscape. “College sports has always been part of a larger sporting culture, and we want to give our athletes the opportunity to participate responsibly in that culture,” said a director from a Big Ten university. “The delay gives us an opportunity to refine our internal policies and ensure that we are adequately prepared.”

Broader Context and Legal Landscape

The article linked to a previous ESPN piece that traced the NCAA’s evolving gambling policy back to 2017, when the association first began to loosen its restrictions on sports betting. That earlier shift followed the nationwide expansion of legal sports‑betting markets and a growing recognition that college athletes should not be denied the opportunity to engage in legal, responsible gambling.

Legal experts cited in the story note that while federal law now allows for sports betting, state statutes differ dramatically. Some states allow betting on professional sports but restrict minors from placing wagers, while others have additional licensing requirements for operators who wish to offer betting to college athletes. The NCAA’s new policy must therefore negotiate these state‑by‑state variances while maintaining a uniform national standard.

The NCAA also highlighted the importance of safeguarding against potential exploitation of student‑athletes by gambling operators. A recent report from the NCAA’s Center for Student-Athlete Wellness, linked in the article, identified a rise in gambling‑related problems among athletes and underscored the need for comprehensive educational and support programs.

What Comes Next

The NCAA’s decision to postpone the rule’s effective date does not signal a retreat from the idea of permitting athletes to bet on professional sports; rather, it indicates a cautious, measured approach. The organization plans to convene a “Gambling Working Group” composed of university compliance officers, legal counsel, and representatives from the sports‑betting industry to refine the policy’s technical details.

In the interim, the NCAA will continue to publish research on the impact of gambling on student‑athlete well‑being and will expand its existing educational curriculum to include modules on responsible betting, financial literacy, and mental health. The association has also announced an upcoming conference to bring together stakeholders from the collegiate sports and gambling industries, with the goal of fostering dialogue and building consensus.

As the legal and regulatory environment evolves, the NCAA’s delayed rule change will likely be revisited in the fall, with a target of launching the policy in the 2025–2026 academic year. Until then, college athletes will continue to be prohibited from placing bets on professional sports, while universities and the betting industry await clearer guidance on how to navigate this new frontier responsibly.