Betting on college player props in the Old Line State has ended, citing harassment as the reason.
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency told Covers on Monday that betting on individual collegiate athletes was pulled from the sports betting catalog right as March Madness and the prime college basketball month are heating up.
“Maryland's sportsbook operators were directed to stop taking college player prop bets as of March 1, 2024,” an MLGCA spokesperson said. “The decision brings Maryland in line with other states that have disallowed these wagers to protect college athletes against potential harassment. The intent is to focus college sports wagers on the teams rather than on the individual athletes.”
Maryland sportsbooks have begun informing customers of the new policy on college player props.
What about the Heisman?
Any wagers placed on Feb. 29 or before are being honored and will pay out, but none were offered starting last Friday.
Individual collegiate awards, like Heisman Trophy betting, will still be allowed. Those wagers are not in full control of the college player.
Maryland had been one of a handful of U.S. states to offer college player props since sports betting went live in 2022.
Getting in line
The Maryland sports betting decision falls in line with several other U.S. markets.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission decided in late February to end college player props following an NCAA request.
“The NCAA has shown good cause to support its request to prohibit player-specific prop bets on NCAA collegiate events in Ohio,” OCCC executive director Matthew Schuler wrote. “While I recognize that there may be a small negative impact to operator and tax revenue, the protection of student-athletes and the integrity of collegiate competitions far outweigh these impacts.”
Player harassment has recently come under a microscope. West Virginia’s House of Delegates passed a bill last week to ban sports bettors who harass athletes, coaches, and officials. It heads to the Senate this month.
