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With the University of Missouri Tigers preparing for the Big Dance, the school’s top official is making it clear that “the University of Missouri strives to maintain integrity in competition and protect the welfare of student-athletes.”
Ahead of Mizzou’s opening Friday night match against the University of Miami in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, MU President Mun Y. Choi has issued a warning to students, employees, and all others affiliated with the team. He wants to make sure that everyone is aware of the school’s policies on sports wagering.
Choi said no one should:
- Attempt to influence or compromise the outcome, margin, or statistical performance of any intercollegiate athletic event in which an MU student-athlete or MU team is participating;
- Share nonpublic, confidential, or internal information concerning MU athletics, such as injury status, proprietary game plans, disciplinary status, lineup decisions, or strategic adjustments, for use in connection with sports wagering; or
- Threaten or harass MU student-athletes as a result of their athletic performance.
“These behaviors are contrary to our values, and may also violate laws and university policies.”
This is the first March Madness tournament the Tigers are playing in since Missouri sports betting was made legal in the Show Me State. The Saint Louis University Billikens also made the tournament.
NCAA says suspicious betting behavior is on the decline
Nearly $1 billion has been wagered in the first two months since the Dec. 1 launch date. But because of promotional free play, the state has reported overall negative revenue and nominal tax revenue generation so far.
That’s expected to reverse in the coming months as revenue from last month’s Super Bowl is reported and as March Madness sparks wagering.
ESPN reported last week that suspicious wagering activity that has impacted college basketball over the last two seasons is actually on the decline. Jon Duncan, NCAA vice president of enforcement, said the high-profile points-shaving scandal and its subsequent trials have served as a deterrent so far.
“We haven’t had new, credible reports of games being compromised this season.”
The scandal involved nearly 40 players representing 17 Division I teams and a former NBA player, according to a January report by ESPN.
In the wake of that case, NCAA President Charlie Baker issued his own warning.
“The Association has and will continue to aggressively pursue sports betting violations in college athletics using a layered integrity monitoring program that covers over 22,000 contests. We urge all student-athletes to make well-informed choices to avoid jeopardizing the game and their eligibility.”
