NCAA Prepares to Tackle Insider Betting as March Madness Begins

With the Selection Sunday out of the way, basketball fans in America and beyond are gearing up for March Madness, one of the most highly-anticipated events in the sports calendar. This year’s edition is expected to be the most bet-on yet, sparking enthusiasm and problem gambling concerns alike.

The March Madness Betting Temptations Are Too Strong

With the first games set to kick off on March 18, the American Gaming Association predicted that Americans would wager $3.1 billion on basketball in 2025. March Madness has cemented its place as a major driver for betting and, as usual, will attract both those who can bet legally and those who cannot.

Both the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments tend to be associated with wagering violations. Betting by athletes and insiders, although forbidden, has become increasingly common. The proliferation of sportsbook platforms and gambling ads has made it more difficult for these people, closely tied to sports as they are, to resist placing a bet or two.

Unfortunately, this not only undermines the integrity of the sector but also carries certain risks of suspensions and fines. As the action nears, the NCAA is preparing to carefully monitor the sector and prevent betting fraud of all kinds.

Many College Athletes Bet on Themselves

Mark Hicks, managing director of enforcement at the NCAA, noted that betting among student-athletes has become very common and that, concerningly, quite a few are placing wagers on themselves.

This trend has only worsened over time. In 2023, the NCAA spotted 50 instances of athletes betting. The next year, this figure more than doubled.

Instances of insider betting continue to be identified even now. Texas Longhorns college athletes just found themselves in hot water for wagering $15,000 on the daily fantasy sports platform PrizePicks. Elsewhere, four University of New Orleans’ men’s basketball team members were reportedly suspended as a part of an investigation into potential violations.

Even though team members are required to leverage ProhiBet’s anti-wagering capabilities, insider betting has continued.

Some Propose Banning College Betting, Others Advocate for Better Education

Some have suggested banning betting on college sports altogether – a drastic measure that is supported by 55% of Americans, according to a recent poll. Betting on college sports has long been a subject of controversy, with the NCAA intensely promoting a ban on college player prop bets.

Meanwhile, experts have continued to call for better gambling education that makes the risks associated with betting clear to college athletes. Many believe that the efforts against insider betting should be focused on preventing it from happening in the first place.

In addition to tempting players, the betting industry can also harm them in other ways. Instances of athlete harassment by disgruntled bettors have continued, taking a toll on professional sports players’ mental health and well-being.