NCAA Study Shows Decline in Betting-Related Abuse During 2025 March Madness

The NCAA announced a 23% year-over-year decrease in online betting-related abuse in the 2025 March Madness tournaments. The association cited the results as evidence of measurable improvement in curbing online harassment of female and male college basketball athletes. The statistics, released on June 10, are based on a surveillance alliance with Signify Group, an online risk intelligence business.

Despite a decrease in betting-related threats, there were more than 3,000 abusive and threatening communications in the men's and women's tournaments. The targets for the abuse included the players, coaches, referees, and selection committee.

Signify indicated in a statement that artificial intelligence software and human analysis were used to screen tens of thousands of social media entries. The confirmed cases were referred to social media companies and, in serious cases, to law enforcement agencies.

The men's event had mixed results. While betting-related abuse decreased by 36%, abusive messages increased by 140% overall, most of which were directed at coaching staff and selection committee members. The relative stability of the 2025 bracket might have been the cause of the drop in betting-related abuse.

All four No. 1 seeds qualified for the Final Four, and national-champion Florida was not a shocking winner. That apparently produced a shortcoming of surprise winners, who created players' odd betting reactions.

Decline was notable but not complete

For the women's tournament portion, the number of abuse incidents decreased dramatically. Overall, incidents were down 83%, and 66% fewer incidents were bet-related. The Women's Final Four consisted of three No. 1 seeds and No. 2 seed UConn, which also took the title.

One of the most high-profile cases was the case of Mississippi State's Chandler Prater, who was assaulted after a play had concluded Southern California star JuJu Watkins' season. The social media reaction in response was one she had never had before, she reported later.

Signify's system detected over 54,000 messages during the tournament. Of these, 3,161 were screened and confirmed to be abusive or threatening. These were reported to social media companies and led to content takedowns and account sanctions for offending accounts.

NCAA president Charlie Baker reiterated the association's determination to combat online harassment in college sports. He emphasized the need for firm actions to protect student-athletes and staff from harassment linked to betting outcomes and general disparagement.

Signify CEO Jonathan Hirshler described this reduction in threats regarding wagering as a favorable trend. Such misuse will likely encompass some of the most serious and perhaps most hazardous content that they encounter in their surveillance activities.

While there has been improvement, both stressed the importance of continued vigilance and cooperation in maintaining a safe environment for all involved in college athletics and future March Madness tournaments.