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In light of recent betting scandals, the NCAA has rescinded a rule change that would have allowed college athletes to place bets on professional sports.
The change was set to go into effect this month, but NCAA and conference officials have agreed to halt the move.
When Missouri sports betting launches on Dec. 1, it will be under the original rule which prohibits wagering on professional sports by NCAA student-athletes.
Support for rule change dwindled
Technically, the NCAA didn’t rescind the rule permitting college athletes to wager on professional sports. It delayed its implementation while participating schools reconsidered the change.
The SEC would have required more than half of its schools to agree with the measure. At recent conference calls, there was reportedly less than 30% support.
A ban is also in place on college student-athletes betting on NCAA sporting events. Now, that ban will continue to extend to professional sports for the foreseeable future.
In a statement timed to coincide with the NCAA’s decision, the University of Missouri came out in support of keeping the ban in place, said Mizzou Associate Athletics Director Dave Matter.
“Mizzou athletics is aligned with the SEC, whose 16-member institutions voted to rescind the NCAA’s proposed pro sports gambling rule.”
High-profile betting scandals
Last summer, the NCAA began considering the change mainly based on pressure from student-athletes. On Oct. 8, the Division I Board of Directors voted to permit such wagers. In subsequent votes, Division II and Division III board members affirmed the change.
But gradually, as some noteworthy betting scandals arose, some schools and conferences became leery. In October, Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups was one of several pro basketball figures charged with crimes relating to gambling. Billups is on leave while federal officials and the NBA investigate his alleged crimes.
Also this year, two pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians were accused of having manipulated player prop bets on themselves. Both are facing criminal charges and will likely never play in Major League Baseball again.
There has also been a betting scandal involving a Mizzou basketball player. In 2024, Columbia native and former Missouri guard Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA when it was revealed he purposefully faked injuries to impact his player props and allegedly win money for himself and associates.
