Public Health Advocacy Institute, State Senators criticize NCAA's decision to sell data

• Public Health Advocacy Institute highlighted the potential implications that may come from the NCAA's decision to sell data to gambling companies
• State Senators John F. Keenan and Paul Moriarty support the Institute's point of view and encourage legislation protecting bettors and sports
• Dr. Harry Levant, PHAI's Director of Gambling Policy, speaks about the dangers of prop bets

Ahead of the upcoming NCAA Men's and Women's basketball tournaments, the NCAA was criticized for agreeing to sell real-time and historical tournament data to the gambling industry.

The leading nonprofit legal research center, the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), joined with a pair of Senators, opposing the NCAA's decision, issued a joint statement, warning about the dangerous impact gambling may have on college sports.

Using NCAA official data, betting companies can offer a range of prop bets on college tournaments

The NCAA's decision to sell real-time and historical tournament data enables gambling operators to offer a range of betting options.

This includes the popular prop bets, which have proven to be incredibly controversial, especially in college sports.

According to a press release from the PHAI, gambling companies may combine the NCAA's data and leverage AI and machine learning to exponentially expand the betting options.

This nonstop action, the Institute said, exacerbates the risk of gambling addiction and gambling-related harm.

Moreover, the PHAI criticized the NCAA's decision to deliver its data to gambling companies, saying it has "prioritized money over the well-being of its student-athletes and the public."

NCAA's decision is "dangerous and short-sighted," opponents say

Efforts against the popular prop bets are led by State Senators John F. Keenan and Paul Moriarty in Massachusetts and New Jersey, respectively.

Supporting PHAI's view on the matter, the two senators issued a joint statement explaining: "What is madness this March is to witness the NCAA prioritize profits over the well-being of its athletes and the public at large."

The two State Senators further wrote: "There is an urgent need for legislation in both of our states to hold sports betting operators and leagues accountable, ensuring the safety of sports and the protection of bettors."

According to Dr. Harry Levant, PHAI's Director of Gambling Policy, the NCAA's decision to sell its data is "dangerous and short-sighted," while at the same time, creates in-game, micro-betting opportunities on college sports.

He explained that micro-betting grants bettors a chance to wager on specific moments of each game and such bets have proven to be one of the "most dangerous and addictive" forms of online gambling.

Dr. Levant added: "The NCAA has increased the risk of harm. People will now wager on virtually everything that college players do in each game."

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