Effective Nov. 22, 2025, all NCAA athletes and athletic department staff members will be permitted to place bets on professional sports, marking a significant policy shift from previous regulations, which prohibited all sports wagering.
This change comes as the NCAA has seen a rise in sports betting violations in recent years. For example, three basketball players from Fresno State University and San Jose State University recently had their eligibility revoked after placing bets on each other and winning thousands of dollars. Additionally, 13 Division I men’s basketball players from six schools are currently under investigation for alleged gambling violations. The NCAA believes that allowing athletes and staff to legally bet on professional sports may reduce or eliminate the incentive to engage in betting on collegiate competitions.
Following the approval of the policy change by the Division I council, Divisions II and III quickly adopted the same measure, allowing the new rule to officially take effect on Nov. 22.
“The Administrative Committee was clear in its discussion … that it remains concerned about the risks associated with all forms of sports gambling but ultimately voted to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers,” said Josh Whitman, Athletics Director at the University of Illinois and Chair of the Division I Administrative Committee. “This change allows the NCAA, the conferences, and the member schools to focus on protecting the integrity of college games while, at the same time, encouraging healthy habits for student-athletes who choose to engage in betting activities on professional sports.”
Although NCAA athletes and athletic department staff are now permitted to wager on professional sports, they remain strictly prohibited from betting on any collegiate competitions or sharing insider information related to college athletics. Student-athletes who violate these rules risk losing their eligibility and can only be reinstated with institutional support. Those who attempt to influence game outcomes or provide betting information to others may face a permanent loss of eligibility. Betting on one’s own sport, even if it does not involve their school, can result in a suspension of up to 50% of a season.
The NCAA has emphasized that this policy change is not an endorsement of gambling. Rather, the organization aims to adapt to the evolving sports landscape while encouraging responsible behavior. The intent is to reduce the incentive for athletes and staff to engage in illicit betting on college sports by providing a legal alternative, while also promoting awareness of the risks associated with gambling.
To support this effort, the NCAA is reinforcing its existing educational programs. These include published harm-reduction guidelines, a partnership with EPIC Global Solutions that has reached over 100,000 participants, a gambling-awareness e-learning course completed by more than 50,000 student-athletes worldwide and research showing that 67% of college students regularly engage in sports betting.
“Abstinence-only approaches to social challenges for college-aged individuals are often not as successful as approaches that focus on education about risks and open dialogue,” said Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA chief medical officer. “The NCAA will continue to collaborate with schools to help them provide student-athletes with meaningful education and other resources for student-athletes who choose to participate in betting on professional sports. This harm reduction approach gives schools an opportunity to help student-athletes make educated decisions, prevent risky behavior and seek support without fear of impacting their eligibility.”
On Oct. 27, Case Western Reserve University Associate Athletic Director Pat Kennedy sent a brief email to all CWRU athletes notifying them of the new NCAA ruling. In the message, Kennedy included links to NCAA educational resources and support materials referenced in the policy announcement, encouraging athletes and staff to review them.
The NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has expressed support for the decision but emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive education and safeguards to protect the well-being and integrity of student-athletes. Although the NCAA has not yet announced any changes or additions to its current educational programs, many anticipate that institutions across the country will soon advocate for more mandatory and robust training for both athletes and coaches in response to this ruling.
“We believe this change represents meaningful progress toward a culture that prioritizes education, transparency and support over punishment,” the Division I SAAC executive team said in a statement. “By removing unnecessary barriers, we are hopeful that student-athletes and athletics administrators will feel empowered to come forward, seek help and engage in open dialogue without fear … We are hopeful, and expecting, that the NCAA and its membership will meet student-athletes halfway by providing the necessary education, resources and support systems to ensure well-being and integrity remain at the core of college athletics.”