With the legalization of sports betting underway since May, 2018, the NCAA has announced its plan to establish a committee to oversee “the expansion of legalized sports wagering,” named the Board of Governors Ad Hoc Committee on Sports Wagering.
In December of 2017, the longstanding federal restrictions barring the activity were struck down by Murphy v. NCAA, with the court determining that individual states could decide whether to legalize sports betting. The majority of states are expected to do so, allowing the respective state to reap taxes on the practice. However, previous NCAA rules remain in place, barring student-athletes and athletic employees from wagering.
The committee’s formation appears nearly identical to the committee formed in July, but an NCAA spokesperson clarified that the new committee is composed of, “representatives from member schools,” while the older committee is composed of, “national office staff members.”
The goals of the new committee are not only to ensure compliance with the sports wagering rules, but also to promote research and education, providing support to students with problem gambling and similar mental health issues.
Glen Jones, Vice Chair of the NCAA Board, explained, “Protecting our student-athletes through education related to gambling prevention is an important aspect of our efforts. As the prevalence of legalized sports wagering continues to expand, we are focused on our responsibility as educators and administrators to equip student-athletes with the information and tools they need to understand the expanding sports wagering environment.”
The NCAA has stated its commitment to the rapidly changing arena that has emerged in the wake of the Murphy v. NCAA decision. G.P. “Bud” Peterson, Chair of the Board, noted, “The core values of protecting student-athlete well-being and the integrity of competition are at the heart of these efforts. We must continue to evolve and adapt our approach as the landscape continues to change and sports wagering expands in the United States.”