The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has taken significant steps toward eliminating player prop bets on college athletes. In recent developments, several states have acted to ban college player prop betting, aligning with the NCAA’s efforts to curb harassment and protect student-athletes.
Current Progress and State Actions
The NCAA expressed satisfaction with the progress made in banning college player prop betting nationwide. Ohio, Maryland, Vermont, and Louisiana have all taken legislative action to prohibit these types of wagers. The NCAA’s push for a national ban aims to address concerns related to athlete harassment stemming from prop bets.
Data on Harassment and Sports Betting
The NCAA shared alarming data in its recent release, emphasizing the need for a college player prop ban. Key findings include:
- Betting-Related Abuse: In sports with significant betting activity, between 15% and 25% of abuse directed at athletes is related to betting. This underscores the impact of prop bets on player well-being.
- High-Profile Athletes: Approximately one in every three “high-profile athletes” faces abusive comments from bettors. The pressure associated with prop bets can lead to harassment, affecting athletes’ mental and emotional health.
- Gender Disparities: Women’s sports have seen an increase in interest from both casual fans and bettors. Unfortunately, this has also led to a surge in harassment for female athletes. Women’s basketball players receive about three times more threats than their male counterparts.
Challenges and Uncertainties
While banning player prop bets may mitigate some harassment, it is not a complete solution. Challenges include:
- Illegal Platforms: Banning prop bets on legal betting apps does not prevent bettors from using illegal platforms to place similar wagers.
- Team-Wide Impact: Athletes may still face harassment based on team-wide bets, such as point spreads, moneylines, or totals. A single player’s performance can significantly impact these bets, leading to potential abuse.
Support for Bettor Accountability
In addition to banning prop bets, the NCAA supports states that enforce regulations against bettors who harass players, coaches, or officials. States like Ohio and West Virginia have implemented such measures to hold bettors accountable.
