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NCAA President Urges States to Impose Tougher Penalties for Illegal Sports Betting

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President, Charlie Baker, has issued a statement calling for stiffer penalties at the state level for illegal sports betting schemes following a high-profile NBA betting scandal. The statement comes as the NCAA revises its rules to allow Division II and III athletes and staff to bet on professional sports, highlighting growing risks for colleges and universities. These developments underscore the need for colleges and universities to review and strengthen their compliance programs, educate athletes and staff on betting risks, and stay updated on evolving state laws and NCAA policies to mitigate legal and reputational risks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NCAA President, Charlie Baker, has urged states to impose tougher penalties for illegal sports betting, following a high-profile NBA betting scandal.
  • The NCAA has revised its rules to allow Division II and III athletes and staff to bet on professional sports, which may increase the risk of betting-related scandals and harassment.
  • The NCAA has taken steps to police gambling at the college level, including prohibiting commercial partnerships with sports books and investigating potential sports betting violations.
  • Over 150,000 student-athletes have participated in NCAA gambling education through in-person and online training opportunities.
  • The NCAA has successfully petitioned four states to eliminate prop bets on college athletes (Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, and Vermont).
  • A September 2023 NCAA survey revealed that 27% of campus compliance directors experienced sports betting issues among their athletes or staff.
  • The NCAA's policy shift to permitting staff and athletes at the D-II and D-III levels to engage in sports betting is a drastic change from the NCAA's previous opposition to athlete gambling activities.

Statistics:

  • Over 150,000 student-athletes have participated in NCAA gambling education through in-person and online training opportunities.
  • 27% of campus compliance directors experienced sports betting issues among their athletes or staff in 2023.
  • More than 740 abusive messages were received by student-athletes in 2023, a 12% increase from the previous year.
  • The NCAA has prohibited commercial partnerships with sports books.
  • The NCAA has opened investigations into potential sports betting violations by approximately 30 current or former men's basketball student-athletes.

Sources:

  • NCAA President Charlie Baker's statement, October 23, 2025
  • NCAA press release, announcing the revision of NCAA rules to allow Division II and III athletes and staff to bet on professional sports.
  • Marisa Darden, Chair of Benesch's White Collar, Government Investigations & Regulatory Compliance Practice Group, interview on Forbes Breaking News (no date specified).

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