The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has made a groundbreaking move on Wednesday to potentially allow college athletes and athletic staff to engage in betting on professional sports, indicating a substantial change to its long-held anti-gambling policy.
The Division I Administrative Committee has endorsed a proposal to allow betting on professional sports, although this decision requires the approval of the Division II and III committees before being enacted. Should all divisions consent, the revised policy will be introduced on November 1.
Bets on college sports will still be strictly disallowed. Athletes and personnel will be prohibited from wagering on college events, altering results, or offering insider information to outsiders.
“The Administrative Committee was explicit in its discussions today that it continues to be wary of the dangers linked to all types of sports gambling, but ultimately voted to ease restrictions on student-athletes in order to align better with their counterparts on campus,” remarked Josh Whitman, athletics director at the University of Illinois and chair of the committee.
Whitman further explained that this rule adaptation signifies a contemporary approach to sports betting, now permissible in a majority of U.S. states. “This adjustment allows the NCAA, its conferences, and member schools to prioritize the integrity of college sports while simultaneously promoting healthy practices for student-athletes who opt to participate in betting activities related to professional sports,” he stated.
The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) supported the proposal, asserting that it fosters education and transparency rather than punishment. “By eliminating unnecessary obstacles, we hope that student-athletes and athletics administrators will feel motivated to come forward, seek assistance, and engage in candid discussions without fear,” the committee expressed.
The NCAA’s regulations regarding betting were established when sports wagering was largely outlawed across the United States. Conversations about updating these policies commenced in May 2025.
This transformation arises in the context of increasing gambling-related transgressions. In September, the NCAA permanently barred three men’s basketball players from Fresno State and San Jose State for betting on their own games and tampering with performances. An additional inquiry uncovered 13 other former athletes from six institutions implicated in betting violations.
“The enforcement team is currently looking into a considerable number of cases that are particularly relevant to the NCAA’s focus on fair competition,” said Jon Duncan, NCAA Vice President of Enforcement. “Our attention will remain on those incidents and actions that directly influence the integrity of college athletics.”