The NCAA postponed implementation of a rule allowing student-athletes and athletic department staff to bet on professional sports until 22 November. The association said the new date follows the end of a 30-day period in which two-thirds of Division I members could rescind the change; betting on college sports remains prohibited.
The delay gives Division I members more time to challenge the rule before it takes effect.
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NCAA Division I member schools voted to rescind a previously approved rule that would have allowed student-athletes and athletics department staff to bet on professional sports. The change will not proceed, leaving the ban in place across all three NCAA divisions under the association’s common-legislation rules.
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors voted 21–1 to advance a proposal to allow athletes, coaches and staff to bet on professional sports, according to the report. The Division I Council was to consider the change, with a decision possible by late June; wagering on college sports would remain prohibited under the proposal.
Reportedly, a bipartisan bill would penalise college athletic departments that knowingly admit athletes who have gambled on college sports. Representatives Adrian Smith and Brendan Boyle introduced the Fair Play Enforcement Act, which also addresses colleges rostering former professional athletes.
The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS, alongside their players’ associations, urged US state regulators to permanently exclude bettors who make violent threats or engage in abusive harassment on regulated platforms. Their joint letter also proposes information-sharing between operators and regulators to prevent excluded users from opening accounts elsewhere.
Five major US sports leagues and their players’ associations have urged gaming regulators in 35 states and the District of Columbia to strengthen action against betting-related threats to athletes and others. Their joint letter proposes permanent exclusion from legal betting for people found responsible for serious harassment or threats, shared reporting procedures and greater duties for licensed operators. The leagues also seek recognition of exclusions across state lines.