The NCAA has formally requested the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to suspend college sports prediction markets, warning that they mirror sports betting but lack essential safeguards. These markets, which have reached approximately $320 million in volume on platforms like Polymarket, operate under federal commodities law rather than state gaming regulations, allowing them to bypass age limits, advertising restrictions, and integrity standards.
In its letter, the NCAA emphasized that these prediction markets could expose student athletes and consumers to significant risks, particularly when contracts are tied to individual players, such as those in the transfer portal. The organization warned that such markets might create incentives for coercion, harassment, and unfair influence, describing potential outcomes as “catastrophic” for both athletes and the college sports ecosystem.
According to data aggregator Polymarket Analytics;
The NCAA also highlighted that many platforms permit participation from users as young as 18, raising concerns about the marketing of these products as financial instruments despite the randomness and unpredictability of sporting outcomes. To mitigate risks, the NCAA called for stronger integrity controls, including bettor geolocation, information sharing among operators, limits on prop-style contracts, and formal oversight by national governing bodies.
Until these robust protections are implemented, the NCAA urges the CFTC to pause collegiate sports prediction markets to safeguard athletes and preserve competition integrity.
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