NCAA gambling data sale sparks public health concerns
The Massachusetts-based Public Health Advocacy Institute has condemned an NCAA deal with technology provider Genius Sports to sell real-time college sports data to the gambling industry.
The deal enables AI-powered micro-betting on individual in-game moments that the Public Health Advocacy Institute views as addictive and dangerous.
Dr. Harry Levant, the organisation’s Director of Gambling Policy, said the NCAA’s claim that the deal reduces prop betting risks is misleading. “People will now wager on virtually everything that college players do in each game. To justify this, the NCAA claims the money from selling data will fund education programs”, he said.
Mark Gottlieb, the Public Health Advocacy Institute’s Executive Director added: “The NCAA, unfortunately, missed an opportunity to take a leadership position in the burgeoning movement to bring comprehensive public health reform to the gambling industry.
“The public health movement is focused on regulating gambling as an addictive product. Unfortunately, the NCAA chose to take gambling industry money, which will result in increased high-intensity micro-betting, with it, addiction, and serious harm to players, their families, and the public.”
The deal also benefits the NFL, a major Genius Sports shareholder, raising transparency concerns.
Levant predicted further data sales by NCAA conferences, suggesting these may amplify the risks to college athletics and the public.
In December 2023 the Public Health Advocacy Institute and its Center for Public Health Litigation filed a class action suit regarding what it called ‘deceptive’ sign up bonuses against DraftKings in Massachusetts. In August 2024, a judge denied DraftKings’ motion to dismiss, allowing the litigation to move forward.
The organisation is a nonprofit legal research center focused on public health law located at Northeastern University School of Law.
Dig deeper
2025/01/30: Harvard panel addresses public health risks associated with proliferation of gambling in the U.S.
2025/04/28: NCAA announces extended partnership with Genius Sports
2025/05/05: NBA expresses concerns over sports prediction integrity to CFTC
2025/05/05: Genius Sports launches BetVision for Soccer
