March 2015
Tip of the Month
Student-Athletes
Don’t Bet On It!
With March Madness around the corner there are going to be many tempting opportunities to
partake in a “bracket”, pool, fantasy league and other gambling activity. Some of these activities are not only
illegal, but in your case as a student athlete can impact your eligibility. You have a responsibility as a studentathlete to refrain from partaking in such activities not only during the month of March but throughout the
duration of your time as a student-athlete. If you are questioning whether an activity is permissible under
NCAA rules here is a simple formula to remember.
Entry Fee/Something Wagered + Prize Opportunity = NOT Permissible
Sports wagering includes placing, accepting or soliciting a wager (on a staff member’s or
student-athlete’s own behalf or on the behalf of others) of any type with any individual or
organization on any intercollegiate, amateur or professional team or contest.
Scenario
Facebook will have a bracket contest. You do not pay an entry fee, but there
is a prize for the winner.
Permissible?
YES
Your dorm floor is organizing a bracket pool for the Women’s Final Four.
Each participant must enter $5 and the winner gets all of the money
collected as a prize.
NO
You and your friend want to make a wager: If his team wins you buy him
dinner, if your team wins he buys you dinner.
NO
Your coach has organized a scrimmage at practice and the team decides
that the losing team will buy ice cream for the winning team.
NO
You sign up for a fantasy league online with your friends. In order to run
the league, each entrant must pay $15. There is no prize for the winner.
YES
You sign up for the fantasy league in the situation above, but you and your
friends decide that the winner should get his laundry done by the losers for
six months.
NO
There is a free online contest where you can pick your favorite professional
tennis player and if she does well in the tournament, you may win a prize.
YES