A few years ago, the NCAA's stance on sports wagering was clear: Don't bet.'
The organization didn't want players and coaches wagering, and the NCAA also wasn't thrilled about having any relationship with regulated sports betting. That attitude seems to be shifting, as NCAA officials are aware of the increased fan engagement legalized betting brings.'
A changing attitude toward sports betting doesn’t just include a growing appreciation for the external benefits of sports wagering, such as increasing fan interest. The NCAA's views on how to view sports betting internally are also changing, with an increased focus on protecting athletes, rather than punishing those who break rules.
“The issue for our schools today is not just bylaw 10.3, that's our sports wagering law,” Mark Hicks, the NCAA's managing director of enforcement, said during a Tuesday G2E panel in Las Vegas. “Historically, we have educated and focused on whether or not student athletes are eligible, and that is a big part of this, but as we've seen with the legalization of sports betting … it's helping our schools understand they need really good infrastructure for mental health challenges that are coming.”