NCAA Joins Bad Actor Program to Counter Online Harassment by Sports Bettors

The NCAA has joined the Bad Actor Program created by IC360 and Signify Group to monitor abusive online behavior toward college athletes and share data that sportsbooks can use to ban offenders. This marks the first time a sports governing body has publicly participated in the initiative, with Fanatics as the initial sportsbook partner.

According to Sportico, the move addresses a rise in bettors targeting athletes after lost wagers. An NCAA study of more than 20,000 college athletes found nearly half of Division I men’s basketball players received a negative or threatening message from someone who bet on their game. A review of 1.3 million posts and comments directed at athletes and coaches flagged more than 72,000 as problematic, including more than 5,000 with abusive, discriminatory or threatening content such as sexual, racist, homophobic and betting-related language.

Signify’s report from the 2023–24 championship season included direct examples. One post stated: “Yo no big deal but if you don’t get 22 points and 12 boards everyone you know and love will be dead.” Another read: “you f—- up my parlay with that missed free throw, can’t wait for [redacted] to smash Y’all.”

Scope of Betting Involvement and Existing Safeguards

An NCAA-commissioned study from 2023 determined that 67% of college students living on campus had engaged in sports betting. NCAA President Charlie Baker said the association is “committed to working with stakeholders across the sports betting ecosystem to eradicate this horrific behavior that plagues sports far too often.” The NCAA also partners with Venmo on a reporting hotline and relies on colleges to educate athletes and students on response options for online harassment.

Uncertainty Surrounding Federal Legislation

The Protect College Sports Act, which passed the Senate, would create exceptions to transfer restrictions for athletes facing sexual harassment and set health, wellness and safety standards addressing harassment harms. The bill’s path is unclear. The 119th Congress has only 20 more days in session, and Democrats’ midterm gains could stall Republican-led measures until the 120th Congress begins on Jan. 3. A separate 2026 study found 42% of college students experienced cyberbullying in the previous six months.

The NCAA’s participation sets a precedent for information-sharing, yet the limited congressional window leaves questions about additional statutory tools to protect athletes from betting-related abuse.