Late last week, the fast-growing and innovative sports technology company, Genius Sports, announced a new agreement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The collaboration saw the former become an exclusive provider of official NCAA data to licensed sports betting companies during March Madness, as well as all post-season tournaments through 2032.
The deal was noticed by the nonprofit legal research center that focuses on public health, the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), which criticized NCAA's decision.
Micro bets on college sports may result in gambling harm
On Monday, the Institute acknowledged that the Association has "unfortunately placed money and profits over public health and the safety of student-athletes by entering into an agreement with Genius Sports to sell real-time sports data to the gambling industry."
The collaboration between Genius Sports and the NCAA will bring AI-driven micro-betting on college sports to the gambling sector, the Institute said.
According to PHAI, micro-betting is a form of online sports wagering that is one of the most addictive and dangerous.
Leveraging machine learning and AI, micro bets offer a "constant stream of betting opportunities," the Institute explained, warning that this unstoppable action increases the risk of gambling-related harm and addiction.
NCAA's recent decision to join forces with Genius Sports comes in contrast to previous discussions.
Back in December, Charlie Baker, the Association's President, called for a federal ban on college prop bets, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
PHAI remains dedicated to protecting the public
Richard Daynard, PHAI's Founder and President, disagreed with the NCAA's decision, acknowledging that instead of fighting the gambling sector, the Association decided to join it.
"This collaboration with the gambling industry further demonstrates the need for a comprehensive public health response at both the federal and state levels," the executive added.
Moreover, Daynard said: "At PHAI we will continue to take a leadership role and look to protect the public by advancing important public health measures to regulate the out-of-control gambling industry."
Mark Gottlieb, PHAI's Executive Director, added: "Unfortunately, the NCAA chose to take gambling industry money, which will result in increased high-intensity micro-betting, with it, addiction, and serious harm to players, their families, and the public."
Dr. Harry Levant, PHAI's Director of Gambling Policy, was similarly concerned about the collaboration between Genius Sports and the NCAA.
He said that with the agreement, the Association increased the risk of gambling-related harm as bettors will now be able to place wagers on "virtually everything that college players do in each game."
Dr. Levant criticized the move to use the proceeds from the agreement to fund education programs.
The three executives also lambasted the lack of transparency the NCAA demonstrated regarding the deal.
