The NCAA Calls for New Laws to Further Protect Student-Athletes
Published: December 11, 2023
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is asking lawmakers to consider strengthening protections when it comes to student-athletes. Even though 38 U.S. states have adopted various kinds of sports betting regulations, the NCAA is asking for an increase due to the increasing instances of harassment and bullying directed at student-athletes, coaches, and officials stemming from collegiate sports betting.
“We are in a time where student-athlete health and well-being is the main priority,” Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee vice-chair Morgyn Wynne said in a recent article. “With the legalization of sports betting, it is imperative that we take a proactive approach to protecting student-athletes from the potential of negative engagement with bettors.”
Among other considerations, the NCAA is requesting a mandatory hotline for people to report harassment or abusive behavior, increased penalties for bettors who harass players, mandatory training for operators to identify harassment, and stricter advertising regulations for those under 21.
“Some 38 states have clearly passed 38 different laws. But one thing that needs to be consistent across all is prioritizing the student-athlete experience and preventing harmful activity that jeopardizes the integrity of sports,” said Wynne.
Whether it involves college or professional sports, betting can pose potential problems for certain individuals, including those struggling with other mental health conditions, minorities, and youth among others. To rate your own risk, check out Pause Before You Play’s Quiz, which only takes a few minutes to complete.
As access to sports betting continues to expand in Ohio and beyond, it’s important to know what a potential problem with betting or gambling could look like.
Signs include:
- Borrowing money for gambling.
- Withdrawing from relationships or hobbies.
- Feeling restless or irritable when not gambling.
- Spending a lot of time gambling, thinking about, or planning to gamble.
- Exaggerating wins and minimizing losses.
For more information on problem betting or gambling and to get access to various recovery resources, you can visit PauseBeforeYouPlay.org/get-help/. There’s everything from recovery groups like Gamblers Anonymous to self-banning programs available to anyone who needs them.