Survey Reveals Change in Sports Betting Patterns Linked to Level of Education
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has conducted a new study on gambling behaviors among more than 20,000 student-athletes, shedding light on the evolving landscape of sports betting and its impact on college athletes.
The last NCAA survey on gambling behaviors was conducted in 2016, before the expansion of sports betting in 2018. Since then, several U.S. states including New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia have changed their laws to legalize sports betting, leading to increased sports betting participation among NCAA student-athletes. This shift has raised concerns about integrity and prompted stricter NCAA regulations and educational programs.
Dr. Deena Casiero, NCAA's chief medical officer, emphasized the importance of harm reduction strategies to prevent and decrease the risks of problem gambling. She reiterated the NCAA's commitment to research-backed methods of promoting healthy behaviors and reducing the stigma associated with problem gambling.
The study revealed a decrease in gambling involvement among men in each of the three NCAA divisions. In 2024, 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. The percentage of Division I student-athletes who admitted to providing inside information knowingly in 2024 is lower compared to 2004, likely due to campus educational efforts.
However, the study also found that approximately 5% of student-athletes part of women's teams admitted to placing a wager on sports at least once in the past 12 months, which is consistent with the result from 2016. This indicates a need for continued focus on education and additional harm prevention techniques in the gambling context, particularly among female athletes.
Charlie Baker, NCAA's president, underscored the need for continued focus on education and additional harm prevention techniques in the gambling context. He also highlighted the NCAA's focus on helping student-athletes combat problematic behaviors related to gambling.
The study highlighted the importance of education in changing sports betting behaviors. In 2023, the NCAA modernized its penalties for breaches related to its betting rules, aiming to reduce the stigma related to gambling and provide support for athletes in need, rather than enforcing harsh penalties such as loss of eligibility.
In conclusion, the NCAA is taking proactive steps to address the increase in sports betting among student-athletes. By focusing on education, harm reduction strategies, and research-backed methods, the NCAA is working to create a safer and healthier environment for its student-athletes.
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