Sports betting has surged in popularity since states began legalizing it in 2018. From mobile apps to online sportsbooks, wagering has never been more accessible. Alongside that growth, however, a troubling trend has emerged as more college athletes are becoming entangled in gambling cases.
The NCAA maintains strict rules regarding student-athletes. They are prohibited from betting on any sport sponsored by the NCAA, regardless of whether it involves their own team. Despite these rules, a 2023 NCAA report revealed 175 violations since 2018, with 17 active investigations still underway. These cases are not limited to small wagers. They include allegations of athletes passing along insider information, betting against their own programs, and even attempting to manipulate game outcomes.
The issue returned to the spotlight in 2025 when 13 former college basketball players from six different schools were implicated in an NCAA probe. The accusations range from placing bets on games to refusing to cooperate with investigators. While those athletes have already graduated, the investigation underscores how gambling problems can follow players long after their college careers end.
What is particularly concerning is that the reported violations likely reflect only a fraction of the true scope. A recent NCAA survey found that about 21 percent of male student-athletes admitted to betting on sports within the past year. Even more alarming, five percent reported losing $500 or more in a single day, a figure that has more than doubled since 2016. The findings suggest that athletes are placing larger and riskier bets as sports gambling becomes more ingrained in everyday culture.
The risks go far beyond financial loss. Gambling threatens the integrity of college athletics. If players exploit insider knowledge or engage in point shaving, the trust fans place in the competition could collapse. Even without evidence of fixed games, the perception of impropriety alone can damage reputations and jeopardize careers.
In response, colleges and the NCAA are working to address the problem. More educational initiatives have been introduced to help athletes understand the dangers of gambling, and enforcement has tightened with schools now required to monitor and report suspicious activity. Still, prevention remains difficult. Many athletes do not know where to turn when their gambling gets out of control, and by the time violations are uncovered, the consequences are often severe.
Sports betting is here to stay. But with more athletes under investigation each year, it is clear that the NCAA and universities must implement stronger safeguards. Without them, the problem will continue to grow in an era where betting is just a tap away.
