NCAA Division I votes to allow athletes to bet on pro sports

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The NCAA Division I Administrative Committee gave the green light Wednesday to a proposal permitting student athletes and athletic department staff to bet on professional sports.

The plan would go into effect as early as Nov. 1 if Divisions II and III also approve the change to allow wagers on professional sports.

Per the NCAA, Divisions II and III are expected to consider the proposal at meetings this month. The NCAA also said the potential rule change — which would not affect the NCAA’s gambling ban on college sports — has the backing of the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

The potential change also comes at a time when the NCAA has initiated more investigations into possible betting violations than in previous years.

In September, three Division I basketball players were suspended indefinitely after the NCAA alleged they bet on their own games and influenced the outcome of those games. The NCAA announced a few days later that 13 players from six other Division I programs were being investigated for alleged sports gambling rules violations.

Athletes, coaches and athletic departments remain prohibited from sharing information with bettors about college sporting events. Advertising and sponsorships involving gambling companies from events such as March Madness also are off limits to Division I programs.

The rule change is not meant to mean that the NCAA endorses sports betting. In fact, the NCAA will work to curtail possible gambling infractions and educate athletes, and those employed in college sports, about the potential harms of gambling.

“Abstinence-only approaches to social challenges for college-aged individuals are often not as successful as approaches that focus on education about risks and open dialog,” NCAA chief medical officer Dr. Deena Casiero said in a release.

–Field Level Media