NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The NCAA is allowing Division I athletes to bet on professional sports. 

On Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Administrative Committee adopted a proposal that allows both athletes and athletic department employees to bet on professional sports. The shift was endorsed by the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

The rule change must be approved by all three NCAA divisions. D-II and D-III are expected to consider the same proposal in their respective meetings at the end of the month, the NCAA said in its release. If approved by both, the act would go into effect Nov. 1. 

The change comes while the NCAA is dealing with a federal gambling probe that has impacted six schools and thirteen athletes facing potential gambling violations. In September, the NCAA banned three basketball players (two from Fresno State and one from San Jose State) after it was discovered they had manipulated their performances in a prop betting scheme.

NCAA officials said the change is not an endorsement of sports gambling, and they remain aware of the risks that come with it. College athletes and staff are still forbidden from gambling on college sports. 

“The Administrative Committee was clear in its discussion today that it remains concerned about the risks associated with all forms of sports gambling but ultimately voted to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers,” said Illinois AD and committee chair Josh Whitman. 

“This change allows the NCAA, the conferences, and the member schools to focus on protecting the integrity of college games while, at the same time, encouraging healthy habits for student-athletes who choose to engage in betting activities on professional sports.”