The NCAA has enacted a significant policy transformation enabling college athletes and sports department staff to engage in betting on professional sports. This measure comes after approvals received across all three NCAA divisions.

The Division I Administrative Committee initially approved the proposal on October 8, with Divisions II and III following on October 22. This updated regulation is set to take effect at the beginning of November.

“This adjustment acknowledges the current landscape of sports without undermining our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of college athletics or the safety of student-athletes,” remarked Roberta Page, athletic director at Slippery Rock and chair of the Division II Management Council. “Our decision reflects a unified approach across divisions, while staying true to the fundamental values of collegiate sports.”

While this adjustment allows betting on professional sports, it maintains the NCAA’s strong ban against wagering on college competitions. Student-athletes and staff are still prohibited from gambling on college events or divulging confidential information to bettors. Moreover, the NCAA continues to forgo sponsorships and advertising from sports betting firms during its championships.

This change occurs amid an increasing number of investigations into sports betting breaches within college athletics. NCAA enforcement officials have reported a rise in cases over the past few years, leading the organization to intensify its oversight measures.

“The enforcement team remains dedicated to swiftly and meticulously probing sports betting-related cases,” stated Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement. “Our enforcement team’s focus is directed on cases significant to the NCAA’s mission of fair competition, ensuring our commitment to the integrity of college sports remains intact.”

This year, three men’s basketball players from Fresno State and San Jose State were suspended for placing bets on their own games, highlighting the NCAA’s concerns regarding the preservation of competitive balance.

NCAA President Charlie Baker, discussing the vote during a Big East roundtable on the future of college basketball, recognized that such incidents indicate a shifting paradigm. “We administer the most extensive integrity program in the world overseeing sports betting across various events,” stated Baker. “Regrettably, we have identified student athletes participating in questionable activities.”

The NCAA affirmed that this rule change does not endorse sports betting, but rather acknowledges its widespread presence.