Betting on legalized college sports took center stage during the second day of the Sports Business Journal Intercollegiate Athletic Forum (IAF) in Las Vegas on Thursday. The panel focused on the opportunities and threats of gambling to schools and its effects on the mental health of athletes.
Gambling in college sports has exploded since the Supreme Court ruled states could legalize it in 2018. More than $25 billion is legally wagered on US sportsbooks. and $8.5 billion was wagered on college football and basketball in the last 12 months.according to new york timesSo far, at least eight colleges have deals with online sportsbooks, some worth more than $1 million a year, and at least a dozen sports clubs or booster clubs have partnered with casinos. . His main IAF sponsor this year is Learfield, a marketing firm that has brokered deals between universities and sports betting operators.
Solly Fulp, Executive Vice President of Business Development, Learfield
Erica Burns, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator at the University of Arizona, compared legal betting to beer sales that the university introduced during sporting events. It can be problematic, but if you test it carefully and introduce it slowly and gradually, it might work.
Panelists also broadly agreed that gambling operations would eventually be incorporated into university athletic facilities such as stadiums.
“Will it happen?” said Brian Clayton, senior director of Americas at IMG Arena, which provides data to sportsbook operators. “I’ll put in—” he stopped himself before saying, “money on it.”
Matthew Holt, President and Founder of US Integrity, said:
Panelists agreed that finding a partner to create appropriate safeguards is important for schools considering sports betting.
“Lent over and don’t put your head in the sand,” Fulp said.
Holt said part of this active participation should include releasing player injury reports, despite concerns about FERPA, HIPAA and a competitive disadvantage. Injury reports don’t have to be specific and can be limited to whether or not the athlete plays, Holt said. You can protect your staff.
The second panel of the day was devoted to the impact of legalized sports betting on student-athletes. In addition to playing games with legal money at stake, Prophis Bets allows you to bet on the individual actions of student-athletes. According to Mark Hicks, managing director of development and enforcement for the National College Athletic Association, the result is additional pressure and outrage on social media.
There is some evidence to suggest that athletes are prohibited from placing bets but may still bet on games and may be particularly susceptible to gambling disorders. Sports Betting Data End. Sessions The remainder of the event was devoted to promoting Sportradar’s offerings on athlete mental health, including 30-minute videos, customized e-learning tutorials, and on-campus workshops.
Much of the discussion that was left out of both panels was how colleges and universities can help non-athlete students avoid problem gambling. It’s a problem that’s likely to grow as we expand our partnership with. new york timesIn today’s session, however, the detail of protecting students was omitted. Colleges and universities and Thursday’s panelists are betting their efforts will be enough.
Jon Edelman can be contacted at: JEdelman@DiverseEducation.com.