The Rising tide of Sports Betting Harassment: Protecting College Athletes in the Digital Age
Are college athletes, coaches, and officials increasingly becoming targets of online abuse fueled by sports betting? A recent NCAA-commissioned study reveals a disturbing trend: while overall online harassment is decreasing, betting-related abuse remains a significant and growing threat.This article dives deep into the findings, explores the impact of this harassment, and outlines the steps being taken – and what more needs to be done – to protect those involved in collegiate sports.
The Alarming Rise of Betting-Related Abuse
A new study, released in October 2025, commissioned by the NCAA and conducted by the AI firm signify Group, paints a concerning picture of the online landscape surrounding college sports. Analyzing nearly 4,000 flagged messages across seven championship events and monitoring the social media activity of over 5,555 athletes,625 coaches,466 teams,and 26 official NCAA channels during the 2024-25 academic year,the study found that 11% of all flagged abuse was directly related to sports betting and match-fixing.
This figure is particularly alarming because it represents approximately twice the amount of racial abuse or threats of violence directed at individuals within the collegiate sports ecosystem. While sexual abuse (20%) and sexism (14%) remain the most prevalent forms of online harassment,the rapid increase in betting-related abuse signals a new and evolving challenge.
Why is Betting-Related Abuse Increasing?
The surge in this type of harassment is directly linked to the explosive growth of legal sports betting in the United States. Since the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection act (PASPA) in 2018, sports betting has become increasingly accessible, leading to a more engaged – and, sadly, sometimes toxic – fanbase.
Hear’s a breakdown of the contributing factors:
* Prop Betting: The proliferation of prop bets – wagers on specific player performances – has intensified scrutiny on individual athletes. Losses on these bets often lead to frustrated and abusive behavior directed towards the players themselves. the NCAA is actively lobbying for states to ban prop betting on college athletes, recognizing its detrimental impact.
* Increased Accessibility: the ease of placing bets through mobile apps and online platforms has broadened the reach of sports betting, attracting a wider audience, including individuals prone to aggressive or abusive behavior.
* Social Media Amplification: Social media platforms provide a readily available outlet for venting frustration and directing abuse, frequently enough with a perceived sense of anonymity.
* The Illusion of Control: Bettors may feel a false sense of control over game outcomes and unfairly blame athletes for losses, leading to harassment.
The Impact on Athletes, Coaches, and officials
The consequences of this online abuse are far-reaching and deeply damaging.
* Mental Health: Constant exposure to threats, insults, and harassment can lead to anxiety, depression, and othre mental health issues for athletes, coaches, and officials.
* Performance Anxiety: The fear of online backlash can negatively impact performance and create undue pressure.
* Safety Concerns: Threats of violence, while less common than other forms of abuse, pose a serious safety risk.
* Erosion of the Collegiate Experience: The constant barrage of negativity can detract from the positive aspects of participating in college sports.
What is Being Done to Combat the Problem?
The NCAA is taking a multi-pronged approach to address this growing crisis:
* Public Awareness Campaigns: The “don’t Be a Loser” video campaign, launched during the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, aims to discourage abusive behavior and promote responsible sports betting.
* Collaboration with Tech Platforms: The NCAA has partnered with companies like Venmo to identify and address unwanted interactions on their platforms. Signify Group to analyze online abuse patterns and identify individuals responsible for egregious content. The study identified 31 individuals warranting investigation, with eight linked to sports betting.
* Law Enforcement Collaboration: seven abusive messages identified in the study met the threshold for referral to law enforcement.
* Advocacy for Responsible gambling Legislation: The NCAA is actively advocating for state legislation that protects college athletes from harassment related to sports betting.
