From the sidelines to sports books

Jack Sharlow and Quinn O’Neill • November 26, 2025

Student gambling during class (Quinn O’Neill)

The sports world grows divided as the NCAA plans to legalize college students gambling on professional sports, starting late November 2025.
Coach Burke Martindale pictured in blue reviewing film with his offensive players during a game at New Britain. (Jack Sharlow)

In the past, gambling and other 21+ restricted activities have been strictly prohibited. “We were required to sign a bunch of papers basically agreeing to abstain from stuff like drinking, substances, gambling, etc.”, said Burke Martindale, Hall Football offensive coordinator and former Quarterback at Saint Lawrence University. This exemplifies the shift that the NCAA is taking. While it will still be illegal to gamble on other college sports, pro sports will not be restricted.
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Day by Day, college students gamble more and more. “While the NCAA said in its statement that that it remains ‘concerned’ with the risks of sports betting, the Division I committee voted to allow betting on pro sports ‘to reduce restrictions on student-athletes in this area to better align with their campus peers’". With over 50% of active college students having engaged in sports betting, there is clearly pressure being placed on athletes, causing strain that can separate athletes from their peers at school.
Works Cited

Bengel, Chris. "Best Sports Betting Apps 2025: Reviewing the Best Betting Sites." CBS, www.cbssports.com/betting/news/best-betting-apps/.
Keating, Christopher. "CT Sees Billions in Bets, Millions in Taxes from Legalized Sports Betting as NBA Scandal Unfolds." Hartford Courant, www.courant.com/2025/11/02/ct-sees-billions-in-bets-millions-in-taxes-from-legalized-sports-betting-as-nba-scandal-unfolds/.
Mader, Daniel. "NCAA Sports Betting Rules Explained: What to Know about New Legislation That Allows College Athletes to Gamble on Pro Sports." Sporting News, www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/ncaa-sports-betting-rules-college-athletes-pro/cd29dd5dfc3e13cf79c2b527.
McDonough, Michael. "Murphy V. National Collegiate Athletic Association." Britannica Academic, academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/Murphy-v-National-Collegiate-Athletic-Association/650372.
"NCAA Releases Sports Wagering Survey Data." NCAA, www.ncaa.org/news/2023/5/24/media-center-ncaa-releases-sports-wagering-survey-data.aspx.
Purdum, David. "NCAA Betting Investigation Widens before College Hoops Season." ESPN, www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46791757/ncaa-gambling-investigation-college-basketball.
"Why Sports Betting Is Becoming so Popular." College Insider, www.collegeinsider.com/why-sports-betting-is-becoming-so-popular#google_vignette.

Hall Record

From the sidelines to sports books

Hall Record

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