Congress watching NCAA closely regarding athlete betting change

A Congressional committee that helps to oversee sports in the U.S. has written to the NCAA to question the wisdom of the league’s decision to lift its longstanding ban on student-athletes voting on professional sports.

The GOP Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie, is one of the authors of a letter sent to NCAA President Charlie Baker on Oct. 30.

Six lawmakers signed letter to Baker

“The timing of the NCAA’s decision to allow student athlete and staff participation in professional sports betting raises questions about sports betting and integrity of sport in the NCAA,” wrote Guthrie and five other lawmakers, referencing numerous recent betting-related controversies in both college and pro sports.

The authors noted that Baker himself has previously expressed concern over the harms that sports betting may cause to young people, as well as the integrity and abuse risks that may be posed by player prop betting.

“Given recent events, the NCAA’s ..