The NCAA has a strict rule prohibiting sports betting on any sport sponsored by the NCAA at any level.[1] This applies to both student athletes and athletics employees. As a former collegiate athlete, I was constantly reminded of this rule by the athletic department and my coaches, and this is likely the same in other division-wide NCAA athletic departments. Compliance directors emphasize this rule to all athletes, especially around events that are heavily betted on (i.e. March Madness, fantasy sports leagues, and the Super Bowl).
The NCAA recently uncovered violations of this rule by three men’s basketball players who competed at San Jose State and Fresno State during the 2024-25 regular season. Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez and Jalen Weaver were released from their respective teams after violating the NCAA sports betting rules, betting on their own games, betting on each other’s games, and providing information to enable others to bet on games.[2] The NCAA enforcement staff was notified by a sports integrity monitoring service in January, which flagged suspicious prop bets on Robinson, sparking an investigation into the matter.[3] Robinson manipulated his performances to ensure certain bets were won. In January 2025, there were text messages between Robinson and Vazquez, where Robinson planned to underperform in several categories and Vazquez took the under-line in these categories, resulting in a $15,950 payout to those who bet. Robinson placed bets on fantasy sports that included his own performance. He also placed several bets on Weaver, his former teammate at Fresno State, after they communicated about their respective betting lines. Weaver also placed a bet on himself.[4]
In 2023, the NCAA amended its guidelines for sports betting violations. Athletes can potentially face a permanent loss of eligibility if they “[E]ngage in activities to influence the outcome of their own games or knowingly provide information to individuals involved in sports betting activities.” Permanent ineligibility may also result if student-athletes bet on their own games or sport at their own school. Athletes can potentially lose 50% of one season of eligibility if they bet on their own sport at another school. Additionally, any athlete found to have violated the rule must complete education on the sports betting rules and prevention. For other sports betting violations, the cumulative dollar value of the wagers will be considered, and athletes could lose up to 30% of a season of eligibility, while also requiring education on betting rules and prevention. These changes were made as a result of legalization of sports betting in many states and the accessibility of online betting platforms.[5]
Here, the three athletes’ violations of NCAA sports betting rules triggered permanent ineligibility for their sports. These cases were resolved by negotiation resolution with the schools involved. Weaver participated and agreed to his violation, but the other two did not participate in the processing of their cases.[6] The individuals have been released from their teams and no longer are enrolled at their previous schools.[7]
[1] NCAA Sports Wagering Rules
[2] Meghan Durham Wright, NCAA uncovers sports betting-related game manipulation and other violations by 3 D1 men’s basketball student-athletes; eligibility revoked permanently, NCAA (September 10, 2025)
[3] Cliff Brunt, NCAA bans 3 college basketball players for betting on their own games at Fresno St, San Jose St, AP News (September 10, 2025)
[4] Id. Supra note 1.
[5] Meghan Durham Wright, D1 approves changes to reinstatement guidelines for sports wagering violations, NCAA (June 28, 2023)
[6] Id. Supra note 1.
[7] Id. Supra note 2.