Can NCAA Athletes Bet on Sports?
Apr 25, 2023

NCAA Athletes - Can They Bet on Sports? The Answer May Surprise You
Over the past few years, there has been a significant trend of NCAA college athletes betting on sports and engaging in event wagers. Though the NCAA has strict regulations against this behavior from the student athletes themselves, the excitement of a large payout, swift money, and the overall access to online betting platforms has made it increasingly difficult to enforce these well-established rules. In fact, universities are now beginning to align themselves with large gambling and gaming operations. In the past 18 months, University of Maryland Athletics recently signed an agreement to name PointsBet USA as their official partner and Louisiana State University (LSU) named Caesars the Official Sportsbook of LSU Athletics. As sports betting continues to scale across America and the market expands, this alarming trend of increased sports betting among NCAA student athletes may be cause for serious concern. There is potential for major impacts on athlete mental wellbeing, health, and wellness as well as the opportunity for corruption in college sports.
A 2018 NCAA survey revealed that 24% of NCAA college athletes gambled on sports over the past year. Out of this pool, men’s basketball players had the highest likelihood of gambling on sports and 35% reported placing wagers. Additionally, NCAA athletes were overwhelmingly found to be more likely to gamble on sports than peers not involved in college athletics. Only 18% of non-athletes bet on sports the year prior.
Access to online sports betting and the steady rise of these wagering platforms has made access to gambling easier than ever for NCAA student athletes to engage in active gambling. These platforms and websites allow athletes to place bets from computers, phones, or tablets - often with a single click. This easy access as well as the potential for high volume payouts is dangerous and may be particularly compelling to college athletes who could face financial pressures as they look for a way to supplement their day to day income while still a student.
Though the NCAA prohibits athletes from wagering on any sport where the organization holds a league championship, NCAA athletes are able to often source illegal ways to bet on popular contests like events in football (bowl games such as the Rose Bowl) and basketball (the NCAA men’s basketball tournament also known as March Madness). If caught betting upon these events, there can be serious consequences for NCAA athletes including expulsion or suspension from their team or school. Beyond mere disciplinary action, there are other risks associated with sports betting in NCAA student athletes. A huge aspect of the regulation against this is focused on stopping corruption in the league as well as warning against match-fixing (activity by in-game participants to ensure that the contest results in a certain outcome). Though there is not sufficient evidence to state that NCAA athletes are involved in either activity, the possibility exists - and indeed is increased by sports betting in the NCAA. Additionally, with increased sports betting in the NCAA, there is added scrutiny and constant pressure on student athletes who are already in stressful situations. Betting may exacerbate these issues. Should an NCAA athlete develop a gambling addiction, they may face criminal problems or financial debt, which can have serious consequences across their future careers and full lives.
Birches Health works with Universities to Ensure Student Athletes Receive the Education and Care Required
Through our University programs, Birches Health works directly with at risk NCAA student athletes. Our providers intake patients, carefully evaluate symptoms and signs, and design a custom treatment plan to help athletes begin their recovery journey and regain control. Birches Health's platform allows a student athlete to fully engage in their day to day while still receiving the problem gambling care they need. We ensure high quality clinical outcomes through only engaging with gambling specialized providers who have years of experience treating student athletes.
If you are a student athlete or know one, take our problem gambling quiz today to help identify your at risk behaviors and better understand if you should have a free, confidential conversation with a gambling specialist.

Signs of Gambling Addiction in a Spouse
Nov 30, 2023
Jonathan

Signs of Sex Addiction
Nov 27, 2023
Jonathan

Gambling and Divorce: Statistics and Information
Nov 26, 2023
Jonathan

What is DFS Gambling?
Nov 19, 2023
Jonathan

Addiction Specialist: Helping You Overcome Addiction
Nov 18, 2023
Jonathan

Exploring the Different Types of Gambling
Nov 8, 2023
Jonathan

Technology Addiction: Signs and Treatment
Oct 30, 2023
Jonathan

Is Sex Addiction Real?
Oct 25, 2023
Jonathan

Is Options Trading Gambling?
Oct 23, 2023
Jonathan

Gambling Addiction and Treatment
Oct 16, 2023
Jonathan

Sex Addiction Treatment and Therapy Options
Oct 14, 2023
Jonathan

Signs of Gambling Addiction
Oct 7, 2023
Jonathan

Is the Stock Market Gambling?
Sep 25, 2023
Jonathan

Tips for Finding a Gambling Rehab Center
Sep 24, 2023
Jonathan

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pathological Gambling
Sep 23, 2023
Jonathan

What Causes Porn Addiction?
Sep 18, 2023
Jonathan

Video Game Addiction
Sep 16, 2023
Jonathan

Porn Addiction Signs & Symptoms
Sep 11, 2023
Jonathan

Gambling Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms & Signs
Aug 29, 2023
Jonathan

How to Stop Online Gambling
Aug 27, 2023
Jonathan

Does Medicare Cover Gambling Rehab?
Aug 19, 2023
Jonathan

Gambling and Dopamine
Aug 12, 2023
Jonathan

How to Stop a Porn Addiction: Tips & Treatment
Aug 11, 2023
Jonathan

Porn Addiction Counseling
Aug 7, 2023
Jonathan

Is Fantasy Football Gambling?
Jul 24, 2023
Jonathan

Signs of a Day Trading Problem
Jul 19, 2023
Jonathan

Why is Gambling Addictive?
Jul 18, 2023
Jonathan

The Arizona Lottery and Gambling
Jul 16, 2023
Jonathan

Is Poker Gambling?
Jul 15, 2023
Jonathan

Is Crypto Gambling?
Jul 14, 2023
Jonathan

Gambling and Sports Betting Among College Students
Jul 8, 2023
Jonathan

Updates Made to Gambling Disorder Clinical Criteria Between DSM-III, DSM-IV, and DSM-5
Jul 8, 2023
Cara Anderson

Combatting Gambling and Alcohol Addiction
Jun 30, 2023
Jonathan

Medication for Gambling Addiction
Jun 27, 2023
Jonathan

The Seven Types of Gamblers: Are You One of Them?
Jun 25, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

10 Questions to Ask If You Think Your Loved One Has a Gambling Problem
Jun 24, 2023
Cara Anderson

Signs of a Sports Betting Problem
Jun 21, 2023
Jonathan

Exploring the History of Gambling in the US
Jun 17, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Gambling Treatment in Arizona
Jun 15, 2023
Jonathan

Voluntary Self Exclusion to Stop Online Gambling
Jun 15, 2023
Cara Anderson

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Gambling Treatment?
Jun 13, 2023
Jonathan

The Growing Issue of Loot Box Addiction: What Parents Need to Know
Jun 11, 2023
Cara Anderson

Gambling Addiction Hotline
Jun 5, 2023
Jonathan

How to Stop Gambling
Jun 1, 2023
Jonathan

Can Gambling Addiction Be Cured?
May 31, 2023
Jonathan

Why Is Gambling So Addictive?
May 30, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Abilify and Compulsive Gambling
May 26, 2023
Cara Anderson

How to Stop Gambling: Strategies for Regaining Control
May 21, 2023
Cara Anderson

How to Stop Gambling and Save Money
May 18, 2023
Cara Anderson

How to Help Someone with a Gambling Addiction
May 16, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Microbets and Online Gambling Addiction
May 13, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Cryptocurrency Addiction
May 9, 2023
Tobias Jackson

The Rise of Esports Gambling
May 6, 2023
Cara Anderson

How Day Trading Can Create a Dangerous Addiction
May 4, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

How Addictive Memes Have Fueled Problem Gamblers
May 2, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Clinical Screening Tools and Quizzes to Answer the Question: "Do I have a Gambling Problem?"
May 1, 2023
Tobias Jackson

Sports Betting Problems and What to Be Aware Of
Apr 30, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Insurance Coverage for Gambling Addiction in 2023
Apr 29, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

How to Stop Sports Betting
Apr 28, 2023
Cara Anderson

Helping a Loved One with a Gambling Addiction
Apr 27, 2023
Cara Anderson

Self Care for Problem Gamblers
Apr 26, 2023
Cara Anderson

Can NCAA Athletes Bet on Sports?
Apr 25, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

Glamorized Gambling and What To Be Aware Of
Apr 24, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

What is March Madness and Should You Be Worried?
Apr 22, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

What is Sports Betting and Event Wagering?
Apr 21, 2023
Elliott Rapaport

What is Problem Gambling?
Apr 20, 2023