In a significant move aimed at promoting responsible sports betting, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has introduced its first sports wagering e-learning module. This innovative initiative seeks to educate over 500,000 current and prospective student-athletes about the potential harms of problem gambling and the risks that sports wagering poses to the integrity of their games.
The e-learning module’s development was driven by feedback from student-athletes and campus leaders. To ensure its effectiveness, the NCAA collaborated with former college athletes, including an NFL player who shared their experiences, connecting more deeply with current student-athletes. Topics covered in this educational program also include NCAA rules and addressing issues related to social media harassment.
NCAA President Charlie Baker expressed the importance of this initiative, saying, “One of the first things I did when I took over as NCAA president was gather as much information as possible about sports betting on college campuses. This educational resource is directly informed by that data. We believe this new program will help protect student-athletes from the risks that come with sports wagering.”
In recognition of the power of relatable experiences, Baker added, “The data is clear that athletes with firsthand experiences connect with current student-athletes better than any other material we could develop, so we are incredibly grateful for their participation in this effort.”
Key Survey Findings Inform Initiative
Last month, the NCAA shared the results of a survey conducted among campus compliance directors to understand better the issues they face regarding sports wagering. This survey, commissioned by Baker, aimed to gain insights into the educational efforts carried out by compliance officers at their campuses and how the NCAA could best support schools with enhanced educational initiatives, resources, and tools.
Before this compliance survey, Baker commissioned another survey targeting 18- to 22-year-olds to gauge the prevalence of various sports wagering behaviors and attitudes among student-athletes peers. The findings revealed widespread sports wagering activity within this age group, with 58% having engaged in at least one sports betting activity. Troublingly, the survey also highlighted the presence of problem gambling, with 16% reporting at least one risky behavior and 6% stating they had lost more than $500 on sports betting in a single day.
Both surveys played a pivotal role in developing the e-learning module, assisting the national office in identifying key areas of focus to incorporate and emphasize.
Ongoing Commitment to Education and Resources
The introduction of the sports wagering e-learning module is just one part of the NCAA’s ongoing commitment to providing continuous education and resources for student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators. Clint Hangebrauck, NCAA Managing Director of Enterprise Risk Management, highlighted this commitment and expressed appreciation for the collaboration with industry experts, including the National Council of Problem Gambling, EPIC Risk Management, and Dr. Jeff Derevensky.
Hangebrauck added, “This will assist members in supplementing other education programming, such as the programming EPIC Risk Management has provided to more than 20,000 student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.” By leveraging the insights and resources from these experts, the NCAA aims to further bolster the effectiveness of its educational programs.
A Free and Interactive Learning Experience
The sports wagering e-learning module is designed as a free, interactive tool that immerses learners in an engaging educational experience. Student-athletes can explore the various facets of responsible sports betting through informative content, practical scenarios, Q&A sessions, and available resources. A distinctive feature of this learning experience is that it is delivered by former student-athletes who can relate directly to the challenges and temptations that current athletes may encounter.
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