A few clicks, a couple of dollars and a lifetime ban – that’s how fast it can happen for college athletes, staff and personnel participating in sports betting.
The field of sports betting has increased in popularity in what seems like an overnight fashion, but it seems like the industry’s boom in popularity is closely tailed by controversy such as compromising integrity and increasing the odds of a gambling addiction.
With the growing popularity of sports betting across all mediums available to our society, all college and professional organizations have been placed in a tricky situation as their athletes, coaches and administrators have begun to indulge in the temptation of betting.
The NCAA has tried to allow for a certain level of liberty for the members of their organization by allowing them to participate while “protecting the integrity of college competition [and] the well-being of student athletes” according to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
Though this freedom did not turn on its head in a drastically negative fashion for quite some time, we have seen recent controversies arise throughout the sports world through football, basketball and plenty of other sports.
Referees, athletes, coaches and even commentators have been caught and accused of felonious sports betting.
“It is a good way to make money when there are not many other opportunities to do so,” says Brandon Philpot, a sophomore sports and healthcare administration major. “But there is a possibility for bias, rigging games and suspensions when done incorrectly.”
Common platforms that spark this ongoing debate are PrizePicks, Draft Kings and Underdog Sports. There have already been athletes that were involved in betting scandals.
Terry Rozier is one of the more prominent names in recent memory to be accused and taken into custody for his supposed rigging of games due to lackluster performances. Rozier was once an all-star candidate most known for his time with the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets.
Chauncey Billups, Calvin Ridley and Damon Jones are other notable names involved in recent sports scandals, displaying the influence of the betting world on athletes, coaches and owners. A Fresno State men’s basketball player was also found guilty of “tampering with his performance” for betting purposes in September of this year.
Though there is evidence to support a claim backing dismissal of this autonomy, Chair of the Division 2 management council, Roberta Page claims, “This change recognizes the realities of today’s sports environment without compromising our commitment to protect the integrity of college competition or the well-being of student-athletes.”
Recently, this rule was rescinded in the wake of grave controversy until Nov. 22 of this year. We will attain what the future holds soon for athletes, coaches and administrators in working with the NCAA sports betting community.
*UPDATED: Nov. 21, 2025
NCAA maintains original rule against NCAA athletes’ ability to bet on professional sports after 30-day trial period.
