Gambling
Gambling is a significant issue on college campuses. Furthermore, student-athlete involvement in gambling has produced many tragic situations, both for student-athletes themselves, and for the universities they represent. As participants in intercollegiate athletics, student-athletes often compete in contests that generate interest from those involved in gambling, and possibly organized crime. If given the opportunity, these interests will not hesitate to exploit the position that student-athletes hold on college campuses. As such, Baylor University is firmly opposed to all forms of gambling and bribery related to intercollegiate athletics.
To fulfill its obligation to educate coaches, staff members, and student-athletes about the influences of gambling, the Athletic Department provides a comprehensive gambling education program. The educational program is a reflection of the University's commitment to keeping intercollegiate athletics free from the influences of gambling and its related activities.
The University requires its staff members and student-athletes to adhere to NCAA, state, and federal laws regarding gambling. In the interest of fair competition and the growth and development of student-athletes the Athletic Department strongly urges its friends and supporters to refrain from gambling/betting on contests involving collegiate competition and to abide by state and federal laws regarding this matter.
"Don't Bet on It" the NCAA's brochure on gambling.
The NCAA has established strict guidelines concerning coaches', staff members', and student-athletes' involvement in gambling and bribery. Athletic Department staff members and student-athletes shall not knowingly participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling.
Gambling is a serious problem and can have severe consequences for the staff member or student-athlete who may be tempted to engage in such activities. Gambling and bribery pose a significant threat to the integrity of intercollegiate athletics. NCAA Bylaw 10.3 states that student-athletes and staff members of the athletic department shall not knowingly:
Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate or professional team;
Accept a bet on any team representing the institution; or
Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling.
Athletic Department staff members and student-athletes are also responsible for the following:
Reporting to the compliance staff any offers of gifts, money, or favors in exchange for supplying team information or for attempting to alter the outcome of any contest;
Maintaining a clear understanding of what constitutes gambling and bribery activities and reporting any suspected infractions;
Contacting the coach or other department personnel (e.g., media relations or compliance staff) when questions concerning appropriate release of team information occur; and
Recognizing that participation in gambling or bribery activities will result in disciplinary action by the NCAA, Baylor University, as well as local, state, and/or federal prosecution of the involved individual(s).
Questions About Gambling
What is the NCAA's position on gambling?
The NCAA and opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering. Sports wagering has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community.
What is Baylor's position on gambling?
As an NCAA Division I member, Baylor University supports and enforces all NCAA regulations, including those concerning gambling. It is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct for any student to be involved in gambling activities. Therefore, Baylor opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering.
What's wrong with gambling?
Illegal sports wagering involves big money - and big money attracts organized crime. Money skimmed from sports betting schemes funds many illegal activities, including the sale of narcotics and loan sharking. Wagering undermines the purpose and spirit of intercollegiate athletics. It demeans the competition and competitors alike by sending a message that is contrary to the purposes and meaning of "sport." Sports competition should be appreciated for its inherent benefits, not for the amount of money wagered on the outcome of the competition.
What are the dangers of gambling for student-athletes?
Organized crime and organized gambling view student-athletes as easy marks. If you place a bet with a bookie, you jeopardize your eligibility and have broken the law. The bookie now is in control. As you get farther into debt or become more addicted to gambling, the bookie can manipulate you into participating in more illegal and dangerous activities.
What are the NCAA's policies about gambling?
NCAA Bylaw 10.3 prohibits athletics department staff members and student-athletes from engaging in gambling activities as they relate to intercollegiate or professional sporting events.
Athletics staff members and student-athletes shall not knowingly:
Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
Accept a bet on any team representing the institution; or
Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling.
