Official betting is a term that refers to sports wagers settled based on official data from the league or tournament. In order for bets placed on these markets to stand, all of the teams in a league or tournament must be played at least once. All outright bets will payout based on the winner of the league or tournament as officially declared, including any changes in point dedications made during a season. In cup competitions, bets will be paid out based on the team that immediately lifts the trophy. For example, a failed punt that is converted into a touchdown won’t count as a first down on an NFL market, but will be included in a soccer goal-scoring market.
The NCAA’s push to make official betting data the single source of truth for regulated US sports betting would radically alter the way operators operate their sportsbooks and could lead to an increase in betting activity, according to estimates from industry experts like Sportradar. But whether or not the price of official data is commercially reasonable remains unclear.
In addition to the standard rules and regulations that govern sports betting, a number of other specific betting rules apply. This includes a requirement that bettors must have a minimum age of 21 to place a bet and a ban on betting on games that involve the NCAA at the professional or collegiate level.
The NCAA will continue to advocate for state laws and regulations that protect student-athletes from the risks of problem gambling, address the negative impact of sports betting on college students, and support the integrity of NCAA competition. The organization will also advocate for the passage of federal legislation to regulate sports betting and prohibit wagers on collegiate events.