Sports Wagering (III.A.5)

Volume III: Ethics
Chapter A: Conduct
Responsible Executive: Vice President for Ethics and Compliance
Responsible Office: Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance
Date Issued: October 18, 2019
Date Last Revised: N/A

Contacts
Statement of Policy
Reason for This Policy
Individuals and Entities Affected
Exclusions
Responsibilities
Definitions (defined terms are capitalized throughout the document)
Related Documents, Forms and Tools
Website Address for This Policy
History and Updates
Appendix

Contacts

Policy Clarification

Vice President for Ethics and Compliance
765-494-5830 | vpec@purdue.edu

Statement of Policy

With intercollegiate sports programs at both the NCAA Division I and Division II levels, Purdue University seeks to operate with the greatest of integrity and fair play in athletic competition. Because the state of Indiana allows Sports Wagering on certain NCAA Division I sports, the general public may lawfully place Sports Wagers on Purdue’s Division I sports teams and student-athletes in this state, as well as in other states that allow college Sports Wagering.

However, Purdue’s culture and values often call University faculty, staff and students to a higher standard than what the law requires. As the Statement of Integrity and Code of Conduct puts it:

At Purdue, integrity is indispensable to our mission. We act with honesty and adhere to the highest standards or moral and ethical values and principles through our personal and professional behavior. We demonstrate our understanding of these values and principles and uphold them in every action and decision. Trust and trustworthiness go hand in hand with how we conduct ourselves, and we sustain a culture that is based upon ethical conduct.

Consistent with these values, and to uphold them within a legalized gaming environment, Purdue University prohibits its faculty, staff, students and independent contractors from placing, accepting or soliciting a Sports Wager (on one’s own behalf or on behalf of others) on any Purdue team, student-athlete, coach, statistical occurrence, contest or event. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, any such Sports Wager that is:

Placed, accepted or solicited on any Purdue University team, student-athlete or coach from any campus, whether in favor or against the team, student-athlete or coach
Placed, accepted or solicited on a pre-game or in-play basis
Placed, accepted or solicited in any U.S. state or territory or in any other country
Placed, accepted or solicited online or via an application or betting intermediary
Legal or illegal

Faculty and staff members found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate employment discipline, up to and including termination.

Students found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate discipline under the Regulations Governing Student Conduct.

Independent contractors found to be in violation of this policy will be deemed to have committed a material breach of their contract with the University, and any active or pending contract(s) will be terminated.

In addition to the foregoing, certain faculty, staff and student-athletes may be subject to additional prohibitions under the NCAA’s rules or Indiana state law beyond those noted in this policy.

Reason for This Policy

As wagering on college sports is legalized in more states and becomes more accessible via online applications, Purdue University endeavors to promote fair play, the integrity of competition and the well-being of student-athletes, coaches and others connected to its athletic programs. Purdue faculty, staff, students and independent contractors may be afforded greater access to information about the University’s teams, student-athletes and coaches that could impact the outcome of competitions. When all faculty, staff, students and independent contractors refrain from placing Sports Wagers on Purdue and its student-athletes and coaches, we, as a community: (i) reduce the potential for deceit and ill-gotten gain, (ii) demonstrate respect and support for our student-athletes and lessen the potential for any of them to feel compromised, self-conscious or inhibited in the ordinary course of their activities as students or athletes, and (iii) protect members of the University community from any inference of profiteering from inside information, exercising undue influence or other improper conduct.

Individuals and Entities Affected

All faculty, staff, students and independent contractors of Purdue University, wherever located and whether employed or enrolled full time, part time or on a temporary basis.

Exclusions

There are no exclusions to this policy.

Responsibilities

Vice President for Ethics and Compliance

Administer and enforce this policy.
Provide education to the Purdue University community regarding this policy.

All Faculty, Staff and Students

Comply with this policy and seek clarification if they have questions regarding the scope of its application.

Independent Contractors

Comply with this policy and seek clarification if they have questions regarding the scope of its application.

Definitions

All defined terms are capitalized throughout the document. Refer to the central Policy Glossary for additional defined terms.

Sports Wager
Any agreement in which a party agrees to give up an item or service of value in exchange for the possibility of gaining another item or service of value contingent upon the outcome of, or occurrence within, an athletic or sporting event involving human competitors or upon the performance of any individual participating in that event. The term does not include participation in paid fantasy sports.

Sports Wagering
The act of placing, accepting or soliciting (on one’s own behalf or on behalf of others) a Sports Wager.

Website Address for This Policy

www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/ethics/iiia5

History and Updates

October 18, 2019: This is the first policy to address this topic. It is issued in accordance with action taken by the Board of Trustees in October 2019.

Appendix

There are no appendices to this policy.