SPORTS WAGERING RULES

EDUCATION SESSION

SJSU Compliance OfficeMarch 1st & 2nd, 2011

1. Which of the following groups are not prohibited from placing bets on NCAA sponsored sports? D. None of the Above Per Bylaw 10.3, the following individuals shall not knowingly

participate in sports wagering activities or provide information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition: • Staff members of an institution's athletics department;• Nonathletics department staff members who have

responsibilities within or over the athletics department (e.g., chancellor or president, FAR, academic advisors);

• Staff members of a conference office; and• Student-athletes.

2. A student-athlete who is found to have placed a bet on a team at his/her institution will be ruled permanently ineligible. True Per Bylaw 10.3.2(a), a student-athlete who

engages in activities designed to influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest or in an effort to affect win-loss margins ("point shaving") or who participates in any sports wagering activity involving the student-athlete's institution shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.

3. An SJSU athletic department staff member may place bets on San Jose Sharks games. False Per Bylaw 10.3.1, the prohibition against

sports wagering applies to any institutional practice or any competition (intercollegiate, amateur or professional) in a sport in which the NCAA conducts championship competition, in bowl subdivision football and in emerging sports for women, regardless of whether the institution sponsors the sport. 

4. What is the amount of money that the FBI estimates is illegally wagered on March Madness each year? C. $2.5 billion A recent FBI investigation estimates that

more than $2.5 billion is illegally wagered on March Madness each year.

5. NCAA rules do not prohibit gambling on sports in which the NCAA does not sponsor a championship, such as Boxing. True Bylaw 10.3.1 only restricts the prohibition

against sports wagering to any institutional practice or any competition (intercollegiate, amateur or professional) in a sport in which the NCAA conducts championship competition, in bowl subdivision football and in emerging sports for women. 

Gambling Violation Example #1FACTS: MGF assistant coach was involved in sports wagering

activities on golf practice rounds with student-athletes (SAs). Specifically, on three occasions, assistant coach agreed to wager $10 with SAs and on two separate occasions, assistant coach lost bet and paid SAs. Assistant coach stated that as a part of team's organized practice activities, he would frequently join current SAs during practice rounds to get a better feel for their games and provide instruction and tips. On a few occasions, a SA challenged assistant coach to put money on a round.

SAs understood it was impermissible under NCAA rules to bet on any NCAA competitions, but given how common these informal wagers are in sport of golf generally, they never really gave much thought to an informal wager during a practice round of golf.

Gambling Violation Example #1, cont’d…Corrective Actions Taken: Institution required SAs to repay $10 to a charity of

their choice and withheld both SAs from first date of competition when institution went to Japan. Institution suspended MGF assistant coach from all coaching activities for one week, including institution's first competition in Japan, and will issue him a letter of reprimand. Institution will conduct an educational session with men's golf team to discuss specific issue of sports wagering and application of NCAA rules in this area.

NCAA Action: SAs Eligibility reinstated based on institutional

action requiring donation to charity by each SA in amount of $10 and withholding both SAs from institution's first date of competition.

6. Participation in any fantasy league in which an entry fee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize is a violation of NCAA rules. True Per Bylaw 10.02.1, an example of prohibited

sports wagering includes pools or fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize.

7. The NCAA’s anti-wagering slogan is:

B. “Don’t bet on it.” NCAA’s official statement on sports

wagering…“The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering, which has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community.”

8. A player who participates in a point-shaving scheme could be sent to prison.

True Sports bribery is illegal in every state. Two former members of the Arizona State

basketball team and a student bookie were convicted of sports bribery in the form of point-shaving. The student-athletes and the student bookie received jail time.

9. What is “point-shaving”? C. Engaging in activities designed to affect

the win-loss margin of a contest. Point-shaving is a type of match fixing that

has been seen numerous times in NCAA sports.

In the early 1950’s, point-shaving scandals were discovered that included at least seven NCAA basketball teams, including two defending NCAA champions and the NCAA suspended the Kentucky basketball program for the 1952-53 season.

10. An athletic department staff member may participate in a radio or television show involving predictions of intercollegiate athletics contests. False Athletics department staff members are

precluded from participating in radio or television shows involving predictions of intercollegiate athletics contests related to point spreads.  Further, athletics department staff members may not participate in a show primarily for purposes of predicting the outcome of an intercollegiate athletics contest. [8/24/90 NCAA Staff Interpretation]

11. If you visit a casino in Nevada, where gambling is legal, you can place a bet on a National Football League game. False Per Bylaw 10.3.1, the prohibition against

sports wagering applies to any institutional practice or any competition (intercollegiate, amateur or professional) in a sport in which the NCAA conducts championship competition, in bowl subdivision football and in emerging sports for women; regardless of where the betting takes place.

12. Which of the following activities are coaches allowed to participate in under NCAA gambling rules?

D. None of the Above Per Bylaw 10.3, coaches, student-

athletes and staff members are prohibited from knowingly participating in sports wagering activities or providing information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition.

Gambling Violation Example #2FACTS: Assistant Athletic Trainer, Associate AD/Media

Relations and Assistant AD/Broadcasting participated in a fantasy baseball league. The fee to enter the league was $80, and plaques were awarded to the top three finishers at the conclusion of the MLB season. The staff members mistakenly thought that it was permissible to participate in the league because the league did not award cash prizes.

Gambling Violation Example #2, cont’d…Corrective Actions Taken: Staff members ceased their participation in

the league and were issued letters of admonishment. The Director of Compliance met with all three staff members individually to discuss sports wagering legislation. The Compliance Office further emphasized participation in fantasy leagues as violations of NCAA legislation in its gambling reminders throughout the year.

13. It is permissible for a coach to have a friendly wager with his/her neighbor on the SJSU-NMSU game because all the winner gets is dinner. False Per Bylaw 10.02.2, a wager is any

agreement in which an individual or entity agrees to give up an item of value (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) in exchange for the possibility of gaining another item of value.

14. What is a bookie?

D. An individual through whom bets on athletics events can be placed.

A bookie can obtain bets through a number of different ways, including in person, by phone, or over the internet. All bets on NCAA sponsored sports are impermissible, regardless of the way they are placed.

15. Which of the following are some characteristics of a compulsive gambler?

D. All of the above The NCAA sets forth the following as characteristics of a

compulsive gambler:Excessive telephone bills to 900-number servicesObsession with point spreadsUnusual interest in obscure gamesAssociation with other sports bettorsShifting allegiances: for/against same team on different days Frequently hitting up friends or family for loansExtremely defensive when questioned about gambling behaviorDebts, unpaid bills, financial troublesGoing to others to get bailed out of desperate financial situationsAfter losing, eager to bet again to get even or ahead

16. Sports wagering is defined as placing, accepting or soliciting a wager of any type with any individual or organization on any intercollegiate, amateur or professional team or contest. True As defined in Bylaw 10.02.1, 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.

17. If a coaching staff member has a friend who is involved in organized gambling activities, it is OK for the coach to give the friend information on his/her team’s injuries, so long as the friend agrees not to bet on the team.

False Per Bylaw 10.3, the coach may not provide

information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition.

Gambling Violation Example #3FACTS: A student-assistant FB coach participated in a fantasy league

that required a $40 entry fee with the potential to earn $300. The violation was discovered when a member of the athletics department heard the student-assistant coach comment on the performance of his fantasy team. No student-athletes or athletics department employees were involved with the league.

Corrective Actions Taken: Student-assistant coach ceased participation in the fantasy

football league. Although the student-assistant coach was aware that SA and staff members are bound by NCAA sports wagering legislation, he did not understand that participation in fantasy football leagues was prohibited. Additionally, rules education was provided to the student-assistant coach and all athletics department staff members regarding bylaw 10.3.

18. Participation in a “Bowl Pool” is permissible since the bowl games are run independently of the NCAA.

False Per Bylaw 10.3.1, the prohibition against

sports wagering applies to any institutional practice or any competition (intercollegiate, amateur or professional) in a sport in which the NCAA conducts championship competition, in bowl subdivision football and in emerging sports for women.

19. The NCAA conducts background checks of officials and umpires in the Division I Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments, Division I football bowl games, the Men’s Frozen Four (ice hockey) and the College World Series. True The NCAA initiated the background checks

for officials and umpires in an attempt to limit sports wagering after allegations were raised against an NBA referee of betting on games that he was officiating.

20. It is permissible for a coach to play and bet on web-based poker. True NCAA sports wagering legislation

regulates only those sports in which the NCAA conducts championship competition, in bowl subdivision football and in emerging sports for women; it does not extend to other gambling activities such as poker, slot machines, horse racing, etc... 

21. While sports wagering is prohibited by NCAA rules, it is not serious enough to cause the suspension of a team. False In 1985, five Tulane basketball players were

accused of point-shaving in multiple games. Tulane suspended its basketball program for four seasons (85-86 through 88-89) because of the allegations.