SEC implements mandatory sports gambling education for student-athletes

The Southeastern Conference announced the launch of a new sports gambling educational video that will be mandatory viewing for all SEC student-athletes moving forward. This comes on the heels of the NCAA formally denying eligibility for Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby amid an ongoing investigation into his admitted sports gambling addiction.

The SEC’s new sports gambling educational video must be viewed by all SEC student-athletes prior to the start of their team’s first regular season game in the upcoming 2026-27 athletic year beginning this Fall. The video is the latest part of the SEC’s comprehensive integrity program dedicated to educating and safeguarding its student-athletes amid the growth of sports gambling nationwide. The new custom video supplements and expands on those efforts that started with the SEC’s relationship with IC360 for monitoring of sports gambling activities in 2018.

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“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 in a statement. “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.”

The SEC has previously implemented IC360’s ProhiBet product in 2023 for real-time monitoring of prohibited sports betting; student-athlete availability reporting in football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball beginning the Fall of 2024; distributed educational posters in all SEC team locker rooms; and established a sports gambling tip line in January 2026 that allows student-athletes to anonymously report suspicious activity.

The new mandatory video will be incorporated into each of the SEC’s 16 school’s student-athlete education requirements to provide clear, practical guidance regarding recognizing risks, understanding NCAA and SEC policies and knowing how to report concerns.

NCAA denies Brendan Sorsby request for reinstatement of eligibility

The NCAA formally denied Texas Tech‘s request for Sorsby’s reinstatement on Tuesday amid an ongoing investigation into his admitted sports gambling. Sorsby, who recently completed a 35-day stay in a residential treatment program for his gambling addiction, has admitted to placing thousands of bets since 2022, including several on Indiana football games when he was a true freshman. Sorsby’s lawsuit filed May 18 also confirms he placed several small wagers at multiple Cincinnati Reds games while he attended Cincinnati between 2024-25, as well as everything from UFC and tennis matches to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Sorsby has a June 1 court date in Lubbock County District Court to resolve a temporary injunction request against the NCAA enforcing its recent eligibility ruling. If granted, the injunction would feasibly allow him to play out the 2026 college football season while the NCAA’s usually lengthy investigation process plays out behind the scenes. Sorsby’s legal team has cited potential damage to the Texas Tech QB’s mental health among the reasons for the injunction.