NCAA & Venmo Partner to Shield Athletes from Betting-Related Harassment: A Proactive Step Towards Integrity
by David Purdum – August 26, 2025
The explosive growth of sports betting has brought a dark undercurrent to college athletics: a surge in online harassment and abuse directed at student-athletes. Recognizing the severity of the issue, the NCAA and mobile payment service Venmo announced a landmark partnership today aimed at protecting athletes from losing bettors seeking to vent frustration, and even those attempting to solicit inside information. This collaboration represents a important step towards safeguarding athlete well-being and preserving the integrity of college sports in the age of legalized wagering.
for years, anecdotal evidence has circulated regarding athletes receiving abusive messages and unwanted financial requests via platforms like Venmo. Now, concrete data confirms the problem is widespread. NCAA research reveals that nearly 20% of online abuse targeting college basketball and football players on social media is directly linked to sports betting activity. The nature of this harassment often centers around demands for refunds from gamblers who lost bets, a disturbing trend that’s been largely unaddressed until now.
“We’ve seen a clear correlation between game outcomes and a spike in negative interactions with our student-athletes,” explains Clint Hangebrauck, NCAA managing Director of Enterprise Risk Management. “It’s not just about angry messages. We’ve also documented attempts to bribe athletes for confidential information – ‘If you tell me you’re playing, I’ll send you money.’ That’s a direct threat to the fairness and competitive balance of college sports.”
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Athlete Protection
The NCAA-Venmo partnership isn’t a superficial response; it’s a complete strategy built on three key pillars:
Dedicated Reporting Hotline: Launched today, this hotline provides athletes with a confidential and direct channel to report instances of abuse and harassment.This is crucial, as many athletes may be hesitant to engage with law enforcement directly or navigate complex platform reporting systems. Enhanced Account Security Education: The partnership will provide athletes with resources and training on how to secure their Venmo accounts and understand privacy settings.This empowers them to proactively manage their online presence and minimize unwanted attention.
Proactive Monitoring & Threat Detection: Venmo’s security team will actively monitor social media trends and game-related events – especially those prone to generating strong emotional reactions, like last-second losses – to identify and address potential surges in abusive activity. This proactive approach is a departure from reactive measures and demonstrates a commitment to preventing harassment before it escalates.
David Szuchman, Senior Vice President at PayPal (Venmo’s parent company), emphasized the platform’s commitment to athlete safety.”While these unwanted requests are infrequent on Venmo, thay are unequivocally unacceptable,” he stated. “College athletes represent a unique user base deserving of heightened protection. We are committed to ensuring a safe and positive experience for them.” Szuchman confirmed that any detected illicit activity will be reported to law enforcement as mandated by federal regulations.
Beyond Venmo: A Call for Industry-Wide Responsibility
Venmo’s willingness to collaborate with the NCAA is noteworthy, as it marks the first such partnership with a major sports league. The platform’s design, which allows for public transaction details (though users can opt for privacy), has inadvertently made athletes vulnerable to unwanted attention. Though,the issue extends far beyond Venmo.
“We recognize that Venmo is just one piece of the puzzle,” Hangebrauck acknowledged. “Our hope is that this partnership serves as a blueprint for engaging with other social media platforms and demanding they take athlete harassment as seriously as we do.”
The challenge lies in balancing the desire for athletes to maintain a normal college experience – including the ability to easily exchange money with friends for everyday expenses - with the need for robust security measures. As Hangebrauck points out, “They want to share pizza money and pay for movies like any other student. We need to find a way to let them operate in that space while also ensuring their safety and well-being.”
Looking Ahead: Protecting the Future of College Sports
This partnership between the NCAA and Venmo is a critical first step in addressing a growing problem. It signals a proactive approach to protecting student-athletes in the evolving landscape of sports betting. The success of this initiative will depend on continued collaboration, ongoing monitoring, and a broader commitment from social media companies to prioritize athlete safety. The integrity of college sports – and the well-being of its athletes – depends on it.
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