Texas Athletic Department Reports NCAA Violations Related to Sports Betting

According to a recent report by the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas athletic department has self-reported five NCAA violations concerning illegal sports betting that occurred between July 11 and November 4, 2024.

Details of the Violations

The violations involve a total of five individuals, including two football players and a non-student athlete with ties to the women’s tennis team. Additionally, a student assistant and an unidentified employee from the athletic department were reported. Collectively, these individuals placed approximately $14,885.76 in unauthorized bets using the daily fantasy sports platform PrizePicks, which is legal in Texas, unlike traditional sportsbooks.

NCAA Regulations on Wagering

The NCAA strictly prohibits players, coaches, and staff from engaging in wagering activities on sports for which the NCAA conducts championships. This regulation aims to maintain the integrity of college sports.

Trends in Sports Betting Violations

The Austin American-Statesman also indicates that sports betting violations have been on the rise, with the NCAA reporting around 50 violations in 2023 and approximately 100 violations in 2024.

Monitoring Sports Betting Activities

To address potential violations, Texas utilized a monitoring service called ProhiBet, which assists educational institutions in tracking sports betting activities. This service cross-references personal information, such as names and birthdates, with sportsbook registration data to identify infractions.

Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) mandated the use of ProhiBet technology across its member institutions.

Consequences for Violators

After ProhiBet identified the impermissible betting, the Texas athletic department took action, leading to the termination of the student assistant’s role. The football players received warnings for their actions. One player was initially declared ineligible due to the violations but was later reinstated after his return to compliance, which included donating the wager amounts to a charity of his choice.

Meanwhile, the other football player was reported to have a significant issue with sports betting, amounting to approximately $9,600 in unauthorized bets, including wagers on Texas basketball teams. This individual ultimately left the university and discontinued his college football career, resulting in no further penalties from the Texas athletic department.