The NCAA launched its first sports betting e-learning moduledesigned to increase awareness among more than 500,000 current and prospective student-athletes of the harms of problem gambling and the risks that sports betting poses to the integrity of their games.
After receiving feedback from student-athletes and campus leaders, the NCAA hired former college athletes, including an NFL player, to better communicate with current student-athletes. Topics also include NCAA rules and social media harassment.
“One of the first things I did when I took over as president of the NCAA was to gather as much information as possible about sports betting on college campuses. This educational resource directly supports “We believe this new program will help protect student-athletes from the risks of sports betting,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker. “The data clearly shows that athletes with first-hand experiences connect better with current student-athletes than any other material we could develop, so we are incredibly grateful for their participation in this effort.”
Last month, the NCAA released the results of a survey of campus compliance directors about the sports betting issues they encounter. Baker commissioned the survey to better understand the training provided by compliance officers on their campuses and how the NCAA could better support schools with improved educational initiatives, resources and tools.
Prior to the compliance investigation, Baker also ordered a investigation youth ages 18-22 to better understand the prevalence of various sports betting behaviors and attitudes among student-athletes’ peers. This survey revealed pervasive sports betting activity among the targeted age population, with 58% having participated in at least one sports betting activity. The survey also found that problem gambling exists in this population, with 16% engaging in at least one risky behavior and 6% reporting losing more than $500 on sports bets in a single day.
Both surveys were instrumental in the e-learning module development process and helped the national office identify key areas of focus to integrate and emphasize.
“This is one piece of an ongoing plan to provide ongoing education and resources to student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, parents, coaches and administrators,” said Clint Hangebrauck, director General of the NCAA Enterprise Risk Management. “We are very grateful to industry experts such as the National Problem Gambling Council, EPIC Risk Management and Dr. Jeff Derevensky for their contributions to this learning. This will help members complete other educational programs such as that provided by EPIC Risk Management. to more than 20,000 student-athletes, coaches and administrators. »
The module is a free, interactive tool that immerses the learner in an educational experience with helpful information, scenarios, Q&As and resources, all provided by former student-athletes, for student-athletes.
Zaire Franklin, a linebacker for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and former Syracuse football student-athlete with a degree in financial management and marketing, kicks off the learning experience, followed by Mikala Hall, who played basketball and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Central Michigan, and Joshua Butler, who played football and earned an MBA in Sioux Falls.
“Sports betting has exploded in our society, and it is extremely important that athletes – at all levels – receive thorough education on the rules and risks of sports betting to help them protect themselves, their team, their sports, their mental health, their finances and their future,” Franklin said.
Currently, the NCAA is conducting a national survey of student-athletes’ sports betting attitudes and behaviors. The Association continues to work with industry experts, professional leagues such as the NFL, mental health professionals, law enforcement and regulators to combat the harms of sports betting through comprehensive education, active monitoring and data-driven research.
The NCAA also recently launched an effort update state sports betting laws to address harassment of student-athletes associated with sports betting.
