Daily fantasy sports websites DraftKings and FanDuel have chosen to indefinitely suspend contests involving college sports as part of a deal with the NCAA, ESPN reported Thursday.
The college ban begins after this week’s college basketball games. The NCAA national title game is Monday.
“We appreciate and commend DraftKings and FanDuel’s action to stop offering contests involving college, high school and youth sports,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement. “This action culminates months of hard work between all parties to reach a place that is good for amateur sports and, most importantly, the young people who participate.
“We will work diligently with our member schools over the coming year to ensure such amateur sports ‘carve-outs’ are included in pending states’ legislation.”
Thursday’s decision comes while the fantasy sports industry is fighting legal battles in several states. ESPN reported that more than 30 states have introduced legislation this year.
“It is clear that this is an issue that matters to a variety of constituencies and we feel that the best path forward is to suspend offering these contests pending resolution on the issue within state legislatures,” FanDuel said in a statement.
DraftKings also issued a statement and said the decision represents the “best path forward for the industry at this time.”
“We continue to see tremendous support for fantasy sports in legislatures across the country, with nearly 30 states advancing thoughtful and appropriate regulations for fantasy play,” DraftKings said in its statement. “We will work closely with the NCAA and lawmakers on a carve-out for collegiate sports in any proposed regulatory framework moving forward.”
The NCAA has long opposed any type of gambling and sports wagering, legal or illegal. It argues that student-athletes can be put in positions to leak information to individuals who are trying to enhance their knowledge per gambling or wagering interests.