College sports betting is a rapidly growing industry, as more and more people want to place bets on their favorite teams and players. The demand for college sports betting is being driven by a few factors. First, the NCAA doesn’t always punish gambling-related behavior seriously. Second, fans want to support their teams even when they’re not on the field of play. And finally, gambling is seen as a fun and harmless alternative to more traditional sports betting platforms like sportsbooks. There are some major legal and regulatory implications that come with betting on college sports, however, which you should be aware of before proceeding.
The NCAA Doesn’t Always Treat Gambling Issues Seriously
The NCAA doesn’t always treat gambling issues seriously, which is one of the major drawcards for college sports bettors. In many cases, individuals looking to place bets will simply have to find a way around the organization’s rules. Some of the more notable examples of the NCAA not taking gambling seriously include:
- Maurice Jones-DeWeese, the Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), once referring to gambling as a “non-issue,”
- Kentucky Derby Sponsorships Launched in 2015 – After the Derby, the focus turns to the Preakness and the Oaks (the 2nd and 3rd races), which are also sponsored by gambling companies. The Kentucky racing commission defended the partnership, stating that “there’s no evidence of gambling impacting horse racing in any way, shape or form.”
- Larry Hryb, the Director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, noting that while it’s an increasing trend for schools to partner with a professional sports organization, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, for example, there isn’t an equivalent partnership for college sports. Hryb added, “If some of our students want to place a wager on a sporting event, we have to abide by the law, but the law doesn’t necessarily have to abide by us.”
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College President Richard J. Stephenson III stating that while his school doesn’t officially promote or endorse gambling, they are “open to the idea of having a bookie come in and set up shop on our campus…There’s no question that there’s a market for it. I think it would be a first-class addition to what we already have here.”
You should remember that the NCAA isn’t the only organization that doesn’t take gambling seriously. The PGA, the MLS, and the NHL all have rules that could potentially prohibit certain conduct relating to gambling. You can bet on sports, but you can’t place any wagers on the outcomes of sporting events. It’s not always clear what the rules are (if any) around gambling, so it’s best to know what your school’s position is before getting into trouble.
Fan Support Is Fueled By Malicious Gambling
Even when the NCAA does take gambling seriously, fans usually don’t. It’s not uncommon for fans who support a team to place bets on that team during an interval between games. In some cases, fans are driven to place these bets in an effort to influence the game results toward their team. Sometimes these bets are made with the intent to harm the opposing team. Because of the inherent risk of this type of gambling, it’s generally considered inappropriate for fans to engage in this type of activity. If you’re a fan of a college team and you’re looking to place a bet on that team, make sure you’re not doing it for malicious reasons. You could find yourself in some legal trouble if you’re not careful.
Gambling Is A Fun And Harmless Alternative To Traditional Sports Betting
Gambling is a fun and harmless alternative to traditional sports betting. People like to wager on events they’re passionate about, and that’s exactly what makes gambling so attractive. There are also many places that allow you to place an online wager, which makes it even easier to participate in this activity. If you’re a college student looking for a way to have some extra pocket change or if you’re simply looking for a way to bet on your favorite sports team, you can’t go wrong with gambling. The truth is that it’s rarely considered gambling when you’re having fun and no money is changing hands. Traditional sportsbooks take their responsibility as a gambling entity very seriously, hence why they’re often looked down upon by those who prefer to place their bets online. If you’re worried about being discovered by the school or the authorities, you might want to consider another alternative – opening an account with a reputable online casino. The advantage of doing so is that you won’t have to run the risk of being punished by the NCAA or other sports governing bodies. The disadvantage, however, is that casino games aren’t accepted everywhere, so you’ll have to find a way to play the games you love.