Published on: May 28, 2026, 07:59h.
Updated on: May 28, 2026, 07:59h.
- The SEC mandates that its student-athletes view an informative video on sports betting.
- This video instructs college athletes on how to avoid being targeted by corrupt bettors.
- The program additionally teaches how to report any suspicious activities.
For student-athletes within the SEC, it’s time for a valuable lesson on sports betting.
On Wednesday, the Southeastern Conference unveiled a custom-built, compulsory sports betting educational video that all student-athletes are required to complete. Athletes must finish this course before participating in regular-season games for the upcoming 2026-27 athletic year.
“The proliferation of sports betting, coupled with various recent incidents in college and professional sports, along with developments in prediction markets, makes this initiative a top priority for the Southeastern Conference,” stated SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
Following in the footsteps of the NFL and PGA Tour, the SEC is implementing an educational video requirement for its players regarding sports betting. The tutorials focus on how to evade rogue betting influences to maintain the integrity of the sport.
Sports Betting in SEC States
The Southeastern Conference encompasses twelve states, with seven boasting legally regulated sports betting: Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
In the remaining states, federally regulated prediction markets allow trading on sports events, enabling the public to profit from outcomes involving SEC teams across all twelve member jurisdictions.
Sports wagering and trading, once confined to local bookies, has now become prevalent on college campuses. Accessible to those aged 18 and older, many offshore online sportsbooks accept bets from customers of this age group.
The SEC aims to prevent student-athletes from being influenced by peers or outside parties to compromise games or divulge confidential information regarding teammates’ statuses. Such individuals often look for accomplices with the lure of financial rewards.
The mandatory sports betting video, as stated by the SEC, will offer “clear and practical guidance” on identifying risks, comprehending SEC and NCAA policies, and understanding how to report any concerns. Every SEC athletic department must integrate this video into their compliance training programs.
“The Southeastern Conference remains dedicated to supporting its member institutions and student-athletes via proactive education, oversight, and resources that uphold integrity and protect the student-athlete experience,” Sankey concluded.
Notable Alabama Baseball Scandal
One of the most significant sports betting controversies in the SEC involved Brad Bohannon, the former head coach of Alabama baseball, in 2023. The NCAA alleged that Bohannon had tipped off a gambler, Bert Eugene Neff Jr., about the absence of his starting pitcher for an April 2023 matchup against LSU.
Bohannon reportedly texted Neff via an encrypted messaging platform saying, “(Student-athlete) is out for sure… Hurry.”
Neff tried to place a $100,000 wager on LSU at a sportsbook in Cincinnati but was limited to a $15,000 bet. LSU won the game 8-6.
Bohannon denied any involvement in the situation and refused to cooperate with the NCAA’s investigation, receiving a 15-year show-cause order that extends to 2039. During this show-cause period, if he secures employment at an NCAA institution, he must be suspended for the entirety of the baseball regular season for the first five years.