We have another massive change when it comes to college sports, and most importantly, college basketball. The NCAA has officially finally approved a rule change that will now allow college athletes and athletic department staff to place bets on professional sports.
The new policy, which starts November 1, shows a major change in how the association moves forward with sports betting in late 2025.
After Division I leaders first endorsed the change earlier this month, Division II and III councils followed suit this week, making the decision official across all levels. While this move opens the door for student-athletes to bet on professional leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB, betting on college sports remains strictly off limits. The NCAA also maintains a ban on sharing insider information about college competitions or partnering with sportsbooks in connection to championship events.
Who Says What
NCAA President Charlie Baker had sort of hinted that approval was probable, saying the rule would “recognize the realities of today’s sports environment.” The organization noted that the update was designed to balance personal freedoms with the need to protect the integrity of college competition.
Roberta Page, chair of the Division II Management Council, called the decision a reflection of modern life. “This change recognizes the realities of today’s sports environment without compromising our commitment to protecting the integrity of college competition or the well-being of student-athletes,” Page said in a statement.
Interesting Timing
The timing of the decision comes as sports betting violations have become an big-time concern for the NCAA. In recent months, several athletes were disciplined for wagering on their own games at Fresno State and San Jose State. Those cases included payouts worth thousands of dollars, underscoring the risks the NCAA continues to face even as it adapts to legal wagering across most U.S. states.
Baker said the association’s integrity monitoring system, which covers “the largest integrity program in the world,” will continue to track potential violations across all sports. Despite the relaxation of betting restrictions, the NCAA reiterated that it does not endorse gambling and still expects its athletes to act responsibly.
This change is significant because it marks a new era of trust between college athletics and the sports betting industry. As legalized gambling becomes increasingly mainstream, the NCAA is acknowledging that student-athletes live in the same culture as the fans they play for. The update also aligns college sports with broader American trends, where over 30 states now have legalized sports betting and partnerships with professional leagues.
For athletic programs, the new rule brings added responsibility. Compliance departments will now have to educate players and staff on where the line is drawn between professional and collegiate betting. The NCAA has indicated that expanded training and monitoring programs will roll out ahead of the November 1 implementation date.
Key Points To Know
- The rule takes effect November 1, 2025
- Athletes can bet on pro sports but not on college gam
- Information sharing about college competitions is still banned
- Enforcement and integrity monitoring will continue at full scale
This policy displays a milestone in how the NCAA adapts to the modern sports economy. It reflects a changing culture where gambling is both widely accepted and closely watched, forcing college sports to evolve without losing sight of its core values.