NCAA Rescinds Rule Change That Allowed Student Athletes to Bet on Pro Sports

The NCAA announced Friday that a recent rule change allowing college athletes to bet on professional sports has been rescinded.

"After a procedural 30-day period, two-thirds of Division I member schools have voted to rescind a previously approved rule change that would have allowed student-athletes and athletics department staff members to legally participate in sports betting on professional sports only," the NCAA said as part of the announcement.

The NCAA previously adopted a proposal allowing student athletes and athletics department members to bet on professional sports on Oct. 8.

The NCAA eventually delayed the implementation of the rule until Nov. 22 and allowed schools to vote on rescinding the change, though.

Students and athletics staff members were still prohibited from betting on college sports under the old rule.

While the Division I Board initially approved the rule change, it wasn't met with unanimous approval.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey previously asked for a reversal of the decision in a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker.

"The integrity of competition is directly threatened when anyone with insider access becomes involved in gambling," Sankey wrote, according to Seth Emerson of The Athletic. "Even when the wagers are placed on professional sports, the simple act of participating in gambling normalizes behavior, blurs boundaries and erodes judgment."

Per Friday's announcement, the ban will now remain in place for all three NCAA divisions and extend to every sport in which the NCAA sponsors a championship.