NCAA Advocates for Integrity Help From Legal Sports Betting States
The governing body aims to collaborate with new states that are in the process of legalizing sports betting to establish integrity provisions.
The NCAA is asking lawmakers in legal sports betting states to help the collegiate governing body add across-the-board regulations to protect student-athletes.
With sports betting legal in 38 states with varying laws, the NCAA is advocating for more integrity by increasing penalties for harassment of players, creating a mandatory hotline for reporting threats, and educating players on how to handle gambling-related problems and harassment.
In an announcement made on Wednesday, the NCAA said it is also seeking regulations from states to identify prohibited bettors and prohibit individuals younger than 21 from wagering using online betting sites or retail books.
The NCAA wants any gambling advertisements to include the hotline and education on problem gambling, as well as having state revenue from sports betting support these systems.
"The NCAA is making changes to help student-athletes make smart choices when it comes to sports betting, but given the explosive growth of this new industry, we are eager to partner with lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders to protect student-athletes from harassment and threats," said NCAA President Charlie Baker. "Some states have great policies on the books to protect student-athletes from harassment and coercion and to protect the integrity of the games, but as more states pass or amend laws, more needs to be done."
Issues on the rise
There are currently 35 states with operating sportsbooks and three more that have passed legislation and are awaiting launches. The governing body wants to work with new states attempting to legalize sports betting on creating these integrity provisions.
The NCAA has had numerous issues involving sports betting this year. Over a dozen Iowa and Iowa State athletes have been charged with illegal betting. Iowa State defensive end DeShawn Hanika, who wagered on his mother’s account, had his case dropped this week because the indictment didn’t come in a timely manner.
An Air Force golf coach, who’s no longer with the program, broke NCAA policy by placing more than 250 wagers while employed by the school. The NCAA reached a resolution in that case last week.
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