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Venmo is teaming up with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in an attempt to reduce the amount of harassment college athletes face online. The partnership is focused on one of the fastest-growing concerns in college sports today—abuse tied to sports betting.
The rising pressure of digital harassment
For years, student-athletes have had to deal with the pressures of competition, but the growth of social media and mobile apps has created an entirely new layer of stress. It’s no longer just boos from the stands or criticism in the campus newspaper. Now, frustrated fans and disappointed bettors can reach athletes instantly, often with hostile messages.
According to an NCAA study, about 12% of online abuse directed at athletes has some link to betting. A striking example involves bettors using Venmo itself—sending unwanted requests for money after losing a wager. While these interactions represent a small portion of overall use on the platform, they highlight how modern technology has made athletes more vulnerable to harassment than ever before.
Venmo’s response and NCAA’s role
In response, Venmo is introducing new safeguards to better protect its users, especially those in college sports. A dedicated hotline is being launched so players can quickly report harassment or inappropriate requests. Beyond this, Venmo is collaborating with the NCAA to share educational material through official channels, helping athletes understand the tools available to them and encouraging preventative measures.
The plan doesn’t stop at quick fixes. Venmo has also committed to monitoring trends more closely, studying the connection between betting outcomes and the behavior athletes experience on the app. Individual players will be given advice on strengthening account security, with the goal of reducing their exposure to unwanted interactions.
The NCAA, meanwhile, has seen a steady increase in sports wagering issues across programs, with over a quarter of autonomy schools reporting concerns. While several states have passed laws to address athlete protection, the organization believes a multi-layered approach involving tech companies, universities, and lawmakers is necessary.
A broader challenge for college sports
What’s unfolding here is part of a bigger picture. College athletes today don’t just face pressure on the field—they live under the spotlight of a 24/7 digital audience. With sports betting spreading rapidly across the United States, the likelihood of frustrated gamblers lashing out at players is only expected to grow.
That makes the Venmo–NCAA partnership significant. It shows how a payment app and a sports governing body can work together to create a buffer for athletes who are asked to perform at high levels while still being students. By combining new reporting tools, monitoring efforts, and direct outreach, the initiative is an early step toward tackling an issue that isn’t going away anytime soon.
Source: gamblinginsider.com
