New NCAA Betting Rules

In America, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has approved a policy that would ban states from hosting championship events if they allow sportsbetting on single games.

The decision from the national university sports administrator and regulator follows a decision from a Federal judge last week not to issue a preliminary injunction against Delaware's planned sportsbetting lottery, which includes single-bet wagers.

The NCAA, in conjunction with the NFL, NHL, NBA and Major League Baseball, had tried to persuade Chief District Judge Gregory Sleet to issue a temporary restriction but he refused and set a trial date of December 7 instead. This decision clears the way for sportsbetting, including single-game wagers, to debut early next month in the small eastern state’s three racetrack casinos, just in time for the beginning of the NFL season.

The new measure from the NCAA was approved by Chancellors and presidents from the body’s three divisions and applies to ‘any session of an NCAA championship’. However, it does not apply to states that permit parlay betting, lottery tickets, pull-tabs and sports pools.

Congress banned sportsbetting in 1992 but grandfathered in four states, Delaware, Nevada, Montana and Oregon, which had offered it in the past.

“Not having gotten its way in court yesterday, it is disappointing that the NCAA would take this retaliatory action,” said Tom McGonigle, Chief Of Staff for the state.

“Importantly, Delaware law prohibits any type of sportsbetting on any Delaware college game. So, as applied to Delaware, this new policy only serves to punish the very students the NCAA claims to be trying to protect.”

In Montana, some had feared that The University Of Montana and its teams would be barred from hosting post-season games.

“I applaud the NCAA for coming to a common sense conclusion that preserves Montana’s right to host playoff and tournament games,” said Steve Bullock, Attorney General for Montana.

“As a state, Montana wholeheartedly supports its student athletes. Along with the NCAA, we remain committed to protecting the integrity of collegiate sports.”