The NCAA president is ratcheting up the heat on U.S. legal sports betting states to end allowing college player prop bets.
On Wednesday, Charlie Barker, who was instrumental in getting Ohio and Maryland regulators to change their offerings, issued a statement calling on states to ban those specific bets due to the impact of harassment.
With sports betting on the rise, the NCAA is acting to protect student-athletes from harassment and working to protect the integrity of the game – this week shows why it’s so important to act. pic.twitter.com/krATwpS4hZ
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) March 27, 2024
Ban to protect
Covers contacted the NCAA and received information from Massillon Myers, the Assistant Director of Communications. Myers stated that the NCAA hopes for 21 different states to ban player props in collegiate sports.
Legislators in West Virginia and New Mexico have advanced bills to take action against individuals who harass college athletes, coaches, and officials.
“Multiple states have moved to ban prop bets in the wake of the NCAA’s effort, including Ohio, where student-athletes, campus leaders, and the national office worked with gaming regulators to prohibit player-specific prop bets,” Myers said. “The NCAA is thrilled to see multiple states take action to remove these bets and the Association will continue to work with every state that wants to learn more about how to protect student-athletes and officials from harassment.”
Good timing
The NCAA’s push comes at an auspicious time for a change in the sports betting landscape.
The NBA is reportedly investigating Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for betting irregularities on player props.
College sports has had several scandals over the last year, including Alabama firing former head baseball coach Brad Bohannon for providing inside information over the phone to a known bettor inside an Ohio sportsbook.
Several Iowa and Iowa State student-athletes were also found to have illegally placed sports bets, including wagers on their own games.
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