The NCAA has approved a rule change effective November 1, allowing college athletes and athletic department staff to place best on professional sports in states where it is legal. At first glance, there are plenty of thoughts that come to mind on why this is a bad idea. Still, proponents argue that it simply allows the NCAA to focus on preventing more serious problems like the sharing of insider information or fixing games without using resources trying to police legal behavior. It may also reduce the stigma associated with gambling for student athletes with a gambling addiction and offer a support system to get them help.

On the other side, there is Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who called it “one of the stupidest” decisions he’s ever seen. He has plenty who agree with him. Critics believe gambling should be treated the same as smoking, alcohol, and other habit-forming behaviors that do not represent the values of college sports. Plus, there is plenty of overlap between pro and college sports, and sometimes familiarity and proximity are all it takes to break the rules. I’m sure that was on Narduzzi’s mind, as Pitt shares practice facilities and stadium with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The rule change doesn’t create transparency for athletes. In the end, state law still decides if sports gambling is legal. Even if your school is in a state where gambling is legal, every program has its own rules and values that may impose stricter internal policies. Don’t forget, most states have laws on the books governing NIL, and many prohibit deals promoting sports betting, along with alcohol, tobacco, and other controlled substances.

In the end, there is a lot of downside risk to sports betting, without much upside. Aside from losing money, there is reputational risk for the school and the athlete. The last thing a coach wants to see is their star player posting a big gambling win on their Instagram feed. For the athletes, if you do decide to bet on pro sports, double-check to make sure you stay compliant so you stay eligible!

Excited you can finally bet on this weekends NFL games? I’ve got bad news for you if you live in one of these 11 states:

Here are some important tips that everyone needs to understand when betting on sports:

The arrests of Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups in connection with illegal betting rings ahave sparked expert warnings that legalized sports wagering is increasing the vulnerability of athletes at all levels to exploitation. Their arrest illustrates a bigger question about how thin the line has become between casual betting and criminal activity.

For years, professional leagues have promoted partnerships with sportsbooks, build lounges inside arenas, and filled broadcasts with odds and prop bets. That constant exposure normalizes gambling for fans and athletes alike. As players see leagues, and now the NCAA, normalize and profit from sports betting, the temptation to cash in and cross the line grows.

Don’t forget, just last year the NCAA reported the increase in online abuse of college athletes around lost bets was roughly twice as high as racial and physical abuse threats. With the constant presence of sports betting in their daily lives, a single mistake or casual connection with someone running bets can spiral fast. Don’t forget insider info can help bet runners cash in on a myriad of different types of bets. Agents, boosters, fans, and online followers are a single click away from teenage athletes who may not know they are violating the rules.

Once an athlete is connected to a bet or a bettor, even by accident, its their name that becomes the headline. Investigations can drag on for months, and schools rarely wait for full verdicts before they look for ways to limit the damage to their programs and brand.

What happens at the pro level rarely stays there. The NBA scandal should be a warning for the NCAA that no matter how big the NIL deal is, or how much revenue-sharing money a school spends, athletes are still vulnerable and will make decisions that will destroy their careers.

Also - don’t try to skirt geolocation laws or route bets across state lines. All you’re doing is violating federal laws along with the state laws.