Venmo and the NCAA have launched a partnership to combat the harassment of college athletes linked to sports betting. The initiative includes a dedicated reporting hotline, enhanced monitoring of athlete accounts, and educational resources for students.
The partnership addresses a growing concern for the betting industry, where athletes receive unwanted payment requests and abusive messages from disgruntled bettors after lost wagers. The measures announced today are a direct response to athletes speaking out about receiving solicitations for inside information and demands for money from losing bettors.
NCAA research indicates that nearly 20% of online abuse directed at college basketball and football players is connected to sports betting. A significant portion of this harassment on Venmo comes in the form of payment requests from gamblers who lost a wager related to the athlete’s performance.
The program features several protective measures. Venmo’s security team will actively monitor social media and game events that historically trigger surges in unwanted interactions. The company will also provide a best practices guide for athletes and educate all users on the consequences of harassment, which can include account closure.