Shift in Sports Betting Practices Linked to Level of Education in NCAA Study
NCAA Releases New Study on Gambling Behaviors Among Student-Athletes
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has released a new study on gambling behaviors among its student-athletes, marking the fifth such study since 2004. The study, conducted amidst the expansion of sports betting across the United States, highlights the importance of education in shaping sports betting behaviors.
Between 2018 and 2024, several U.S. states, including New York, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, legalized sports betting. This legalization has raised concerns about the integrity of NCAA men's and women's sports, leading to increased monitoring and education efforts to prevent gambling-related corruption among student athletes.
The study emphasizes the significance of harm reduction strategies to prevent and decrease the risks of problem gambling. Dr. Deena Casiero, the NCAA's chief medical officer, underscored this importance, stating that the Association remains committed to research-backed methods of promoting healthy behaviors to support its student-athletes and to reduce the stigma associated with problem gambling.
In the 2024 study, only 22% of NCAA men reported placing legal or illegal wagers on sports at least once in the last 12 months, a decrease from the 24% reported in the 2016 survey. This decrease was observed in each of the three NCAA divisions. Moreover, the percentage of Division I student-athletes who admitted to providing inside information knowingly in 2024 is lower when compared to 2004.
The expansion of sports betting across the country has led to an increase in NCAA athletes being asked for inside information. However, the 2024 study did not provide new data regarding the percentage of women student-athletes who admitted to placing a wager on sports at least once in the past 12 months. This fact is not a new revelation, as it is a repetition of an earlier bullet point.
The NCAA modernized its penalties for breaches related to its betting rules in 2023, aiming to reduce the stigma related to gambling and help athletes who require support. The Association's President, Charlie Baker, reiterated this focus on education, gambling harm prevention, and helping student-athletes combat problematic behaviors.
The study compares trends regarding the involvement of athletes in gambling activities. Some students may be impacted by at-risk or problem betting by the time they graduate college, as they are frequently exposed to gambling activities while still in high school. Gambling harm prevention and education remain key objectives for the NCAA.
The last time the NCAA released such a survey was in 2016, ahead of the expansion of sports betting which occurred in 2018. The study in 2024 found that approximately 5% of the student-athletes part of women's teams admitted to placing a wager on sports at least once in the past 12 months, which is the same as the result from 2016.
The NCAA continues to focus on education and additional harm prevention techniques in the context of sports betting. The Association's efforts are aimed at ensuring the integrity of its sports and the well-being of its student-athletes.
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