NCAA Adds Betting Integrity Tool For Officials In March Madness

By Bill Speros

Mar 10th, 2026 8:05 AM EDT

The NCAA Tuesday announced a partnership with IC360’s ProhiBet betting-integrity, data-sharing tool to monitor all officials participating in March Madness. The platform will be in use for both the men's and women's basketball tournaments, as well as the NCAA baseball and softball championships.

This step comes in the wake of multiple betting scandals around college sports. Thus, increasing the stakes for NCAA betting integrity around March Madness. None of those scandals have been alleged to involve officials. But this is action aids in the “NCAA’s mission to uphold the integrity of collegiate competitions,” said both entities in a joint release.

ProhiBet monitors those who are prohibited from wagering — including athletes, coaches and league personnel. It helps sports betting operators stay in compliance with regulators. And prevents those not allowed to bet - in this case NCAA officials - from being able to wager on any legal, regulated platform.

NCAA President Charlie Baker has long been an advocate of limiting some college betting – especially those that involve player props. As governor, he signed the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act of 2022 into law. That banned college player props in the Commonwealth. This marks the most impactful public move the NCAA has made to date when it comes to ensuring integrity among its officials.

 “Implementing ProhiBet is a major step in increasing integrity protections for college sports. This platform adds another layer to the NCAA’s robust integrity monitoring program as we work to keep competition integrity and student-athlete well-being paramount in a rapidly evolving sports betting environment,” said Mark Hicks, NCAA Managing Director of Enforcement in a release.

ProhiBet Already In Use Among Pro Leagues

Other leagues utilize ProhiBet for athletes, coaches, officials, and any other league stakeholders they deem necessary. Its implemention here is generally consistent across different sports to ensure integrity throughout the organization. ProhiBet acts as a centralized safeguard, though the specific categories of stakeholders monitored are determined by each individual league's requirements. IC360 works with the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big 12 on the integrity monitoring front for athletes, coaches, and conference employees.

ProhiBet allows operators and sports properties to identify individuals who are prohibited from placing wagers, such as athletes, coaches, officials, and certain team personnel. This prevents conflicts of interest and maintains the integrity of sporting events. It also aids regulators in their oversight role. And – in the long run – helps to ensure the integrity of play.

 “This collaboration sets a new industry benchmark and reinforces the importance of proactive deterrence and detection in keeping collegiate athletics fair,” added Scott Sadin, Co-CEO of IC360.

Selection Sunday for the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournament takes place on Sunday. The First Four for the men’s tournament takes place on March 17-18. Field-of-64 play begins on Thursday, March 19. The men’s Final Four takes place in Indianapolis on April 4-6. The women’s Final Four occurs in Phoenix on April 3-5.

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