NCAA changes regulations after PASPA repeal

The entity suspended the prohibition on championship events being played in states that allowed sports betting.

US.- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) decided to support the decision made by the US Supreme Court to lift the federal ban on sports betting. The suspended policy prohibited any NCAA championship from happening in states that allowed single-game sports wagering.

Nevada, Montana, Delaware and Oregon were the only states in the US that allowed some sort of gambling on sports thanks to the 1992 Act that prevented other states from offering the gambling modality. 

“The board’s decision will ensure championship location continuity by temporarily allowing NCAA championship events to occur in states that offer sports wagering. The Board of Governors may consider more permanent revisions of the championship host policy regarding sports wagering during future meetings,” said the NCAA in a statement. Moreover, it has been settled that policy restricting sports gambling sponsorships and advertising will remain in place for NCAA championships and Football Bowl Subdivision postseason bowls.

The NCAA said that in order to ensure integrity in sport, it supports a federal model addressing legalised gambling and therefore that is why it has suspended its championship host policy related to sports wagering.

Mark Emmert, NCAA president, said that their highest priorities regarding sports betting are the integrity of competition and student-athlete well-being. “Sports wagering can adversely impact student-athletes and undermine the games they play. We are committed to ensuring that laws and regulations promote a safe and fair environment for the nearly half-a-million students who play college athletics.”

And he added: “While we recognize the critical role of state governments, strong federal standards are necessary to safeguard the integrity of college sports and the athletes who play these games at all levels.”