NCAA launches first sports gambling e-learning module
After receiving feedback from student-athletes and campus leaders, the NCAA engaged former college athletes, including an NFL player, to better connect with current student-athletes. Topics covered also include NCAA rules and social media harassment.
“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,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “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.”Last month, the NCAA released the findings of a campus compliance directors survey on sports wagering issues they experience. Baker commissioned the survey to gain a deeper understanding of the education that compliance officers are providing at their campuses and how the NCAA could best support schools with enhanced educational initiatives, resources and tools.
Before the compliance survey, Baker also commissioned a survey of 18- to 22-year-olds to better understand the prevalence of various sports wagering behaviors and attitudes among the peers of student-athletes. That survey found pervasive sports wagering activity within the targeted age population, with 58% having engaged in at least one sports betting activity. The survey also found that problem gambling exists in this population, with 16% having engaged in at least one risky behavior and 6% reporting that they have lost more than $500 on sports betting in a single day.
Both surveys were instrumental in the e-learning module development process and helped the national office identify key areas of focus to incorporate and emphasize.
“This is one piece of an ongoing plan to provide continuous education and resources for student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, parents, coaches and administrators,” said Clint Hangebrauck, NCAA managing director of enterprise risk management. “We are very appreciative of industry experts such as the National Council of Problem Gambling, EPIC Risk Management and Dr. Jeff Derevensky for their contributions to this learning. 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.”
The module is a free, interactive tool that immerses the learner in an educational experience with helpful information, scenarios, Q&As and resources, all delivered by former student-athletes, for student-athletes.