A new law might soon affect the top North Carolina sports betting operators. North Carolina lawmakers have introduced House Bill 828 (HB 828) to prohibit prop bets on amateur and collegiate athletics in the Tar Heel State. Presented on April 8, the bill was led by Reps. Mitchell Setzer, Pricey Harrison, Marcia Morey, Neal Jackson, and Joseph Pike. The bill proposes eliminating betting on singular events within collegiate and amateur sporting events, such as statistics on players.
Key Takeaways
- HB 828 sets out to prohibit prop bets on college and amateur sports
- This is the second time that legislation has been introduced to ban college sports prop bets
- NC reported a record handle for March, spurred on by March Madness
Prop bets enable an individual to bet on certain things in a game that are not determinative of the outcome of the ultimate result. Examples include how many strikeouts a pitcher will have or whether a particular player will score in a football game.
The proposed bill seeks to eliminate such gambling activities in amateur and college sports competitions to protect the integrity of the games and student-athletes' well-being.
The bill sponsors allege that the athletes are increasingly at risk of harassment, especially following a loss in a game. This is based on studies that have found an escalation of threats and retaliation athletes receive from people at all levels of sports.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has also complained about prop bets, claiming increased harassment of student-athletes and potential threats to the integrity of the games.
NCAA officials have pushed for states to prohibit college prop betting, pointing out the necessity of protecting athletes from excessive pressures and ensuring equitable competition.
Regulators have referred to instances where gamblers have threatened student-athletes based on their performances, bringing out the negative impact of such betting activities on young players.
Multiple prop bet ban attempts in NC
This legislative effort follows a similar attempt in 2024 when Rep. Morey introduced a bill to ban college player prop betting. Although that bill did not advance, proponents believe the current climate may be more receptive to such measures, especially given the growing concerns about the impact of sports betting on student-athletes.
Sports betting has been legal in North Carolina since March 11, 2024. The state recently posted a record handle of $685 million, its highest ever since the last record was set in March 2024.
Local college basketball teams, such as Duke University men's basketball's success in the Final Four, could have fueled the growth. The gross wagering revenue in March 2025 was $38.1 million, which generated a hold of 5.6%, the lowest since sports betting became legal in the state.
Overall, the NCAA still advocates for national legislation that gives an answer to the problems that sports betting poses. The organization has been working with states to implement measures that protect student-athletes and maintain the integrity of events.
North Carolina isn't the only state to explore college-level prop bet bans. There are 18 states and DC that already prohibit college player props, and New Jersey and other states have sought to join them.
