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A New Jersey lawmaker is raising concerns about the NCAA’s growing relationship with the sports wagering industry after the organization approved a deal allowing official championship event data to be distributed to operators, including to New Jersey sportsbooks.
Sen. Paul Moriarty joined Massachusetts Sen. John F. Keenan and the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) this week in issuing a joint statement criticizing the NCAA’s decision.
Moriarty warned the move could increase gambling pressures surrounding college athletics and potentially expose student-athletes to greater risks tied to sports wagering. He said in the statement:
“The NCAA should be protecting student-athletes, not expanding opportunities for sportsbooks to profit from their performance.”
The lawmakers say the decision highlights growing public health concerns as legalized sports wagering continues to expand across the US.
Critics warn of increased risks in college sports
Moriarty and Keenan issued their statement alongside the PHAI, a nonprofit legal research center based at Northeastern University School of Law focused on gambling-related public health issues.
PHAI officials argue that selling official NCAA data to operators could lead to more markets tied to college athletics, including wagers connected to specific in-game events or player performances.
Dr. Harry Levant, the institute’s director of gambling policy, said the NCAA’s explanation that the deal could support educational initiatives does not address broader risks.
Levant said expanding operator access to official NCAA data could make it easier for platforms to create additional wagering opportunities during games.
NCAA extends partnership with Genius Sports
The criticism follows the NCAA’s recent announcement that it has expanded its long-term partnership with sports technology company Genius Sports through 2032.
Under the agreement, Genius Sports will serve as the exclusive distributor of official NCAA data to licensed sportsbooks for all NCAA postseason tournaments, including the men’s and women’s March Madness basketball tournaments.
Operators that participate in the NCAA’s Authorized Gaming Licensee (AGL) program will gain access to official, real-time data feeds used to power betting markets.
The agreement also allows participating sportsbooks to use NCAA logos and branding as part of the partnership.
In addition to distributing wagering data, the partnership includes integrity monitoring systems designed to detect suspicious wagering activity and responsible gaming initiatives intended to limit certain high-risk bet types.
The NCAA said its LiveStats platform – which collects statistics for more than 70,000 college sporting events annually – will continue to be provided free to member schools.
The partnership also introduces GeniusIQ, an artificial intelligence platform that will provide advanced performance analysis tools for coaches and enhanced data experiences for fans.
Policy debate continues in New Jersey
The debate carries particular significance in New Jersey, which played a key role in the legalization of sports wagering nationwide.
The state led the legal challenge that resulted in the 2018 US Supreme Court decision striking down the federal ban on sports wagering, allowing states to regulate the activity.
Since then, New Jersey has grown into one of the largest regulated sports wagering markets in the country.
Moriarty has been involved in several gambling policy discussions in the state, including proposals focused on responsible gambling protections. The NJ lawmaker introduced S4794, which would ban micro-betting in the Garden State.
Moriarty remains laser focused on making that happen, along with Keenan. Both said in a joint statement:
“What is madness this March is to witness the NCAA prioritize profits over the well-being of its athletes and the public at large. 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.
“This agreement does nothing to improve the quality of college athletics but instead exposes the integrity of college sports and bettors to greater risk while allowing betting operators to profit enormously from student-athletes’ successes and failures.”
Their criticism of the NCAA’s data partnership signals that the relationship between college sports and the sports industry could become a growing topic of discussion among lawmakers as the market continues to evolve.
