The Southeastern Conference is looking to crack down on sports betting among its student-athletes.
Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Wednesday at the conference’s spring meetings in Florida that student-athletes will soon be required to watch an educational video related to sports betting. The video must be shown to all SEC athletes prior to the start of their first regular season game during the upcoming 2026-27 athletic year.
Per conference officials, the video will serve to educate and safeguard student-athletes amid the growing prevalence of sports gambling nationwide. It is also an extension of the SEC’s efforts to monitor gambling activities when partnering with IC360, formerly US Integrity, in 2018.
The video comes as sports betting activity among young people has skyrocketed in the U.S. in recent years. SEC officials cited a report showing that 58% of people between 18 and 22 years old have placed at least one wager, with rates climbing to 67% among students living on college campuses.
Additionally, 31% of adults under 30 reported placing a sports bet in the past year, reflecting a broader rise in participation among young people. During the 2025-26 academic year, approximately $12 billion was wagered on games involving at least one SEC team through legal betting channels.
On the college football stage, an NCAA investigation into Cincinnati turned Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s betting habits shone a light on what is considered to be a greater issue in the sport. Sorsby reportedly placed over $10,000 in wagers and has been denied collegiate eligibility for his gambling activities.
“The Southeastern Conference remains committed to supporting its member institutions and student-athletes through proactive education, monitoring, and resources that promote integrity and protect the student-athlete experience,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said.
“The rise in sports gambling, including some recent well-documented incidents among college and professional athletics, as well as developments around prediction markets, makes this a high-priority initiative for the Southeastern Conference,” he continued.
The SEC’s mandatory video will be incorporated into each institution’s student-athlete education requirements. Officials say it will provide clear, practical guidance on recognizing risks, understanding SEC and NCAA rules, and knowing how to report concerns.
All SEC student-athletes will complete the training as part of annual campus compliance programming. In Mississippi, the new rule will apply to athletes at Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
