NCAA Delays Rollout of Rule That Would Allow College Athletes to Bet on Pro Sports

The NCAA has long been debating whether it should allow college-level athletes to bet on pro sports, and a decision is now finalized, but for a small hiccup.

The Division I Board, which was the last to give its go-ahead, voted on Thursday that it would move the date when this could happen from November 1, 2025, to November 22, 2025. This is also within the board’s rights, as a rule that may be put on hold for 30 days should fewer than 75% of members approve it.

NCAA Yet to Pass Rule That Allows College Students to Bet on Pro Sports

However, the scandal involving at least two or possibly three NBA athletes may have led to a change of heart. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey wrote to NCAA president Charlie Baker, informing him that the division would need more time to consider.

In the meantime, the NCAA has maintained that it is not encouraging student-athletes to gamble on pro sports but rather doing away with a rule that is causing more harm than good.

The NCAA has maintained that it was counterproductive to go after athletes who have bet on professional sports, as this behavior did not imperil the integrity of the sports they participated in, but wasted efforts and resources that could have been put into other, more important areas.

NCAA Set to Focus Efforts on Regulating Important Things Tied to Integrity

“This change recognizes the realities of today’s sports environment without compromising our commitment to protecting the integrity of college competition or the well-being of student-athletes,”  Division II Management Council chair and athletic director at Slipper Rock, Roberta Page, said in a statement for the Associated Press.

This change should ease the burden on the NCAA, focusing resources on investigating violations under the current rule set, which prohibits college-level athletes from wagering on professional sports.