Experts Warn of Underground Betting on College Sports Despite Bans

Despite the prohibition of betting on college and university athletes in all U.S. states, experts caution that Americans are likely to seek out illicit avenues for such wagers, underscoring the challenges in enforcing such regulations.

Youth sports analysts emphasize that even with stringent regulations in place, illegal sportsbooks are likely to exploit any significant demand for college sports betting, offering markets such as proposition bets (props) on college players. Investor and sports betting industry executive Chris Grove highlighted that illegal bookmakers may seize this opportunity to gain a competitive edge over legal operators like DraftKings or FanDuel.

Grove pointed out that U.S. residents could potentially circumvent domestic bans by traveling to neighboring countries where such betting is permitted and then returning home to participate. Complicating matters further, current legislation lacks specific measures to address such scenarios, leaving a regulatory gap that could be exploited by underground operators.

However, Grove tempered these concerns by noting that the market for betting on college sports remains relatively small, with limited interest compared to professional leagues. Despite the potential challenges, monitoring and enforcement efforts will likely continue to be essential in curbing illicit gambling activities and ensuring the integrity of collegiate athletics.