In recent years, sports gambling has become more and more mainstream throughout the country. In 2019, sports betting was legalized in New Hampshire. Even though gambling has been legalized, student athletes have different rules they must follow.
Student athletes are forbidden from gambling on any sports that the NCAA holds a championship for, including professional and amateur sports. Fantasy sports are allowed under certain specific guidelines. Casino games and horse/dog racing is also allowed for student athletes. If caught breaking any of these rules, the athlete will be ineligible from further competition pending an appeal.
The NCAA recently updated their punishments for athletes caught violating the gambling rules. According to ESPN, “Student-athletes found to have engaged in activities to influence the outcome of games they’re involved with or provided information to individuals involved in betting will face a potential permanent loss of collegiate eligibility. The guideline applies to student-athletes who bet on their own games or on other sports at their own school.”
This new sports gambling world could be a cause for concern for NCAA athletes, but Keene State Athletic Director Marty Testo doesn’t feel the same way. “I don’t have any concern. I feel like we educate our student athletes in this area when we discuss compliance during the pre-season meetings,” said Testo.
In recent news, the University of Iowa football team had 11 players investigated for sports gambling. Members of the Hawkeyes basketball and baseball team were also charged in the investigation. Alabama head baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired amid an investigation into suspicious wagering activity prior to their game against LSU. Professional teams have been dealing with players gambling as well. NFL wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the entire 2022 season after violating the league’s gambling policy.
Testo believes that education is the best thing to help student athletes. “At our level, we just need to continue to educate the student athletes and be resources for them when they have questions. We need to continue to provide them a quality student athlete experience… in the classroom, in their sport and outside both those areas,” he said.
Associate Athletic Director Abraham Osheyack would echo the same message. “We work to educate our student-athletes on the rules around gambling as well as the consequences. Student-athletes also need to recognize their responsibilities in this area,” said Osheyack.
Osheyack also agreed with Testo in terms of the lack of concern for student athletes and gambling.
“Fantasy sports are a type of gambling that has been around for decades. I do think athletes will need to further be aware of rules and what they are doing as gambling becomes more sophisticated,” said Osheyack.
The NCAA continues to look at their gambling policy and is considering making adjustments.
Cal Thompson can be contacted at
cthompson@kscequinox.com
