The NFL has partnered with the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) to research gambling behavior among college students and athletes.
The NFL foundation pledged $600,000 over 3 years to the project, which aims to better understand risk factors, prevention strategies, and the psychological impact of sports betting on young adults.
ICRG President Arthur Paikowsky commented on the commitment, “The NFL has once again demonstrated its commitment to player and fan protection by supporting this critical research targeting young adults,”
“The NFL and ICRG together will make a meaningful contribution to understanding and implementing policies and programs that support a safer gambling environment.”
The project includes expanding the “Talking with Children About Gambling” campaign, which offers educational resources for parents, teachers, and coaches to guide youth toward safer gambling behavior.
NFL commitment to responsible gambling
In 2021, the NFL partnered with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and donated $6.2 million towards the NCPG’s work. In 2024, the league extended the partnership for another 3 years and donated another $6.4 million, marking the largest ever donation received by the NCPG.
Additionally, the NFL Foundation works with the Responsible Gambling Council in Canada to deliver responsible gambling training programs for student athletes at eight universities and colleges.
In a press release announcing the partnership, Anna Isaacson, NFL senior vice president of social responsibility, commented,
“We’re proud to partner with the ICRG to advance research that can drive meaningful solutions and address a critical gap in the understanding of gambling behaviors among college athletes and students,”
“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to promoting responsible gambling and fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes, fans, and communities.”
NFL remains top sport for betting
The NFL is the most popular sport for gamblers, and sportsbooks have reported that it accounts for around 40% of all sports bets.
Betting handle has grown over the past few years as more states legalize sports wagering:
| Year | Estimated NFL Betting Handle (US) | Notes |
| 2020 | ~$20 billion (season total) | COVID-19 year, sharp rise in mobile betting |
| 2021 | ~$50 billion+ | Growth with legalization in new states |
| 2022 | ~$80 billion+ | NFL cited as most-bet league in U.S. |
| 2023 | ~$100 billion+ | Increased operator marketing, app usage |
| 2024 | ~$115–120 billion (est.) | Expanded markets (e.g., Florida, Ohio) |
College athletes could be allowed to bet on NFL
Currently, NCAA regulations prohibit college athletes from betting on any sport, including professional leagues such as the NFL. However, a proposal to deregulate betting on pro-sports has gained support, and the NCAA Division I Board of Directors voted 21–1 in favor of directing the Division I Council to relax the rules around gambling.
If the Division I Council approves the change, then college athletes, coaches, and staff would be allowed to bet on professional sports. Betting on college sports would, however, remain prohibited.
There have been scandals involving college athletes betting on their own matches. Eastern Michigan, Mississippi Valley State, the University of New Orleans, Iowa State, Fresno State, and North Carolina A&T have all had games flagged for unusual betting patterns.
However, betting on pro-sports for players or staff who meet legal gambling age requirements may seem relatively harmless. A former football staffer at the University of Georgia was terminated for violating the NCAA’s rules on professional sports betting. The staffer placed the wagers in August 2020, but the bets were not flagged for suspicious activity until nearly four years later.
The rule change would not punish such betting in the future, but opening up the possibility of players betting on matches could also lead to an increase in betting on college matches in which players can influence the outcomes.
The NFL’s commitment to research in the area could prove important in determining the future rules for the NCAA.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.
