NCAA President Charlie Baker, alongside several state regulators and advocacy groups, is pushing for significant reforms in collegiate sports betting. These changes aim to protect student-athletes and maintain the integrity of college sports.

The growing concern comes as collegiate sports betting faces unique challenges and vulnerabilities compared to professional sports. Recent data shows betting pauses on college games typically last longer than NFL games, indicating increased scrutiny and risk management by sportsbooks.

Notable developments include:

• UNLV recently declined a $100,000 offer from Circa Resort & Casino to retain quarterback Matthew Sluka
• A new bill in New Jersey seeks to prohibit college player prop bets
• March Madness is projected to generate $2.72B in legal betting
• Women's college basketball betting has surged, particularly due to Caitlin Clark's historic season

Recent scandals have highlighted the need for stronger oversight:

• Point shaving incidents at multiple institutions including Arizona State, Boston College, Northwestern, and Tulane
• The Alabama baseball betting conspiracy investigation
• Iowa's collegiate betting scandal, resulting in legal action from affected athletes

The NCAA has responded with:

• Launch of a responsible gaming campaign during March Madness
• Stricter sports betting rules proposals
• Enhanced monitoring of betting patterns
• Increased focus on student-athlete protection from online abuse and threats

Las Vegas continues to expand its role in collegiate sports, with Allegiant Stadium selected to host the 2028 NCAA Men's Final Four, though some traditional venues like Mandalay Bay Convention Center have been passed over.

Industry analysts note that major operators like DraftKings and Flutter would likely see minimal impact from potential college prop betting restrictions, suggesting a possible path forward for balanced regulation that protects both athletes and the integrity of collegiate sports.

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