As Sports Wagering Surges, NCAA Strengthens Prohibition to Protect Fair Play

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has reversed a proposed rule that would have allowed college athletes and athletic department employees to wager on professional sports, a move prompted by a recent wave of gambling scandals affecting both college and pro sports. This decision, made following a procedural vote among Division I schools, upholds the existing prohibition on gambling for anyone involved in NCAA sports, highlighting increasing worries about preserving fair competition

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This action comes in the wake of several high-profile arrests and investigations that have brought negative attention to sports betting. In late October, NBA coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among those detained in federal crackdowns on suspected gambling operations. The NCAA also recently declared six men’s basketball players ineligible for violating betting rules and confirmed that former Temple University guard Hysier Miller had placed wagers on Owls games, including bets against his own team. These incidents, along with ongoing federal investigations, led the NCAA to stop the rule change, which was originally set to begin on Nov. 1.

According to NCAA governance procedures, the reversal was allowed because the initial proposal to permit betting on professional sports passed with less than 75% approval from the Division I cabinet. This gave member schools a 30-day period to contest the decision. Ultimately, over two-thirds of Division I schools voted to overturn the rule, reaching the required threshold just before the Nov. 22 deadline. The gambling ban now remains in effect across all three NCAA divisions, ensuring uniformity throughout college athletics.

The NCAA’s stance is consistent with broader measures taken by professional leagues to protect the integrity of their competitions. Major League Baseball, for example,

on individual pitches to $200 and prohibited these bets from being included in parlays, following a federal indictment of Cleveland Guardians pitchers accused of manipulating games for profit. The NBA and NCAA had also previously imposed restrictions on prop bets in response to betting controversies. While the NCAA’s main goal is to prevent conflicts of interest, some critics believe that outright bans may not resolve deeper problems. and agent Scott Boras have advocated for a total ban on prop bets, arguing that even minor wagers could sway athletes’ choices.

In recent years, the NCAA has stepped up its enforcement of sports betting violations, with at least a dozen new cases currently under investigation. The organization’s actions also reflect mounting pressure from conference officials, such as Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey, who

in internal discussions. As legal sports betting in the U.S. continues to grow—with wagers exceeding $6 billion in August 2025—the NCAA’s position highlights the ongoing struggle between regulatory caution and the increasing acceptance of gambling in the sports world .