NCAA postpones decision on rule change permitting athletes to wager on professional sports

The NCAA has decided to postpone the implementation of a rule change that would permit college athletes and athletic department staff to bet on professional sports. Originally set to take effect on November 1, the new date is now November 22 — one day after the deadline for Division I members to potentially rescind the measure. The delay follows a procedural rule that allows a 30-day period for schools to overturn a decision if less than 75% of the Division I council approved it, which was the case with this proposal.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny of gambling in sports. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey recently expressed concerns about the policy in a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker. Even with the proposed adjustment, athletes would still be barred from wagering on college games or sharing insider information about collegiate events. The timing of the delay is notable, coming just days after an NBA player and coach were arrested in connection with large-scale gambling operations allegedly involving leaked player information.

Despite the proposed shift, the NCAA reiterated that it does not endorse sports betting for student-athletes. Baker previously said he expected the change to pass, arguing it reflects the current landscape of legalized sports betting without compromising college sports integrity. Roberta Page, chair of the Division II Management Council, said the adjustment acknowledges modern realities while safeguarding athlete welfare. The NCAA has seen an uptick in betting violations recently, including the suspension of three men’s basketball players last month for wagering on their own games.