NCAA Moves Toward Lifting Ban on Professional Sports Betting

The NCAA, long known for its strict stance on gambling, has edged closer to easing rules that ban members from betting on top-tier sporting events. 

Multiple sources confirm that momentum is building for the NCAA to lift its ban on athletes, coaches, and staff betting on professional sports. If approved by the Division I Council, this move could come as soon as late June.

Why the NCAA Ban Is Being Reconsidered

Currently, NCAA rules prohibit any athlete, coach, or staff member from wagering on professional sports with a collegiate equivalent, meaning no bets on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, or even pro golf and tennis.

This policy, rooted in concerns about integrity and the potential for insider information to sway outcomes, has become increasingly difficult to enforce as sports betting has exploded in popularity across the United States.

In a recent case, Baylor University staffer Sam Hancock breached NCAA Bylaws 10.01.1 and 10.3. Hancock acknowledged he had placed nearly 2,950 daily fantasy sports wagers between July 2019 and September 2024, totalling approximately $46,000. 113 of his wagers were placed on Baylor student-athletes or athletes competing against Baylor.

The investigation concluded that the staffer had not used insider information or affected any results of matches he wagered on. Hancock’s offenses were deemed a Level II Standard violation. Should he return to a college in an athletics-related position, he faces a two-year show-cause order and a future two-week suspension from all activities during his first year of employment.

With legalized betting now available in nearly 80% of the country, the NCAA’s enforcement teams have been bogged down by a flood of minor infractions, often for bets with little relevance to college sports integrity.

The Division I Board of Directors recently voted 21–1 to advance a rule change that would deregulate professional sports wagering for college athletics participants.

By narrowing its focus, the NCAA hopes to protect the integrity of its competitions better while freeing resources to address issues that truly impact the college game.

What Would Change and What Wouldn’t

If the ban is lifted, athletes and staff would still be barred from betting on NCAA-sponsored events, but could legally wager on professional leagues like the NFL or the NBA.

This change would align NCAA policy more closely with the realities of the modern betting landscape and reduce the compliance burden on the NCAA and member schools.

The NCAA is also considering new measures to address problem gambling, including safe harbor provisions, limited immunity, or reduced penalties for student-athletes who seek help for gambling issues.

The shift reflects a broader “cultural and philosophical recalibration” within college sports, as experts note that the world of sports wagering in 2025 vastly differs from a decade ago.

NCAA Considers Shifting Focus to Targeted Integrity Measures

The NCAA is on the verge of a significant policy shift as its Division I Council weighs removing the longstanding ban on college athletes, coaches, and staff betting on professional sports.

The Division I Board of Directors has already voted 21-1 to deregulate pro sports betting. The proposal is being forwarded for further discussion, with a final decision possible by late June.

Importantly, the prohibition on wagering on college sports would remain in place, maintaining a clear line to protect the integrity of collegiate competition.

If adopted, the new policy would allow the NCAA to focus on safeguarding college sports from integrity risks while also considering reduced penalties or safe harbor provisions for athletes who seek help with gambling issues.

This marks a pragmatic response to the widespread legalization of sports betting and the realities of modern compliance challenges in collegiate athletics.