New Rule Targets Bettor Harassment, With Athletes and Officials Backing the Move
The Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) has taken a firm stance against bettors who harass athletes, marking a significant shift in how the state handles misconduct within its sports betting framework. On Friday, the WGC unanimously voted to amend its rules, placing any individual found guilty of harassment on an involuntary exclusion list.
This means that offenders will no longer be allowed to place any type of bets, including prop bets, cutting off their ability to target athletes following a lost wager. The new rule has received strong backing from a variety of key stakeholders, including the NCAA, the University of Wyoming, and local sports betting operators, who see it as an important step in ensuring a safer environment for athletes and bettors alike.
Why Harassment Has Become a Growing Concern
The decision comes at a time when harassment of athletes by disgruntled bettors has become an increasingly visible issue, especially in collegiate sports. Bettors, particularly those who lose prop bets or wagers on individual player performances, have been known to direct their frustrations towards athletes, sometimes crossing the line into verbal abuse or threats.
With the rise of legal sports betting, incidents of harassment have gained national attention. Some athletes, particularly those in college sports, have reported feeling unsafe or uncomfortable due to the actions of upset bettors. This has raised alarms for both sports officials and lawmakers, who are now taking stronger steps to ensure that athletes can compete without fear of retaliation from those placing bets on their performances.
The Role of the NCAA and Other Stakeholders
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has been a vocal supporter of the rule change, emphasizing the importance of protecting athletes from harassment. College athletes, unlike their professional counterparts, often lack the same level of resources to shield themselves from negative attention, making this policy change particularly significant for the college sports landscape.
The University of Wyoming also supported the amendment, noting that harassment not only impacts the well-being of athletes but also threatens the integrity of the sport. By ensuring that bettors face consequences for targeting players, the state is sending a clear message that the protection of athletes is a priority.
Sports wagering operators in the state have expressed their backing as well, agreeing that maintaining a fair and respectful environment is essential to the success of legal sports betting. By actively enforcing this new rule, they hope to foster a healthier betting culture in Wyoming, where athletes are not subjected to the pressures or harassment that come with losing wagers.
What Happens to Offending Bettors?
Once a bettor is placed on Wyoming’s involuntary exclusion list, they will be barred from participating in any form of sports betting in the state, including both online and in-person bets. This is a powerful deterrent for those who might consider engaging in harassing behavior, as it removes their access to all wagering opportunities.
Involuntary exclusion lists are a tool used by various states to prevent problematic bettors from continuing to engage in gambling activities. However, Wyoming’s rule is notable because it specifically targets harassment against athletes, setting it apart from other forms of exclusion that focus primarily on criminal activity or addiction.
Offenders will have the chance to appeal their exclusion, but unless they can prove they have reformed their behavior, they may face long-term bans from all sports betting operations in Wyoming.
A National Trend?
Wyoming’s decision may inspire other states to follow suit, as concerns about athlete harassment have surfaced across the country. As sports betting continues to expand, particularly with the rise of online and mobile betting, many states are looking to strengthen regulations to ensure the safety of athletes.
States such as New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, which have robust sports betting industries, are likely to closely observe Wyoming’s approach and may consider implementing similar rules in the future. With online sports betting growing in popularity, maintaining a respectful betting culture will be key to ensuring the continued success of legalized gambling.
For now, Wyoming’s bold move sets an important precedent for how states can balance the growing sports betting industry with the protection of athletes, particularly at the college level, where athletes are still considered amateurs and are often not equipped to handle the pressure of public scrutiny.
