Wyoming regulators took a step toward banning college player prop betting in the Equity State during Thursday’s meeting.
Replying to an official request by the NCAA to prohibit the wagering of individual stats like rebounds or rushing yards, the Wyoming Gaming Commission discussed removing those bets from the sports betting catalog as well as creating harsh penalties for bettors who are found to have harassed athletes during.
The group confirmed that they could alter the state’s betting rules without a legislative amendment. Many of the commissioners were in favor of removing college player props, but the group couldn’t vote on the issue without specifics.
The commission ordered the staff to draft “suggestive” rule changes to ban college player props that the group can review, discuss, and possibly vote on during their next meeting later this summer.
NCAA chimes in
NCAA Assistant Director of Government Relations Austin Meo told the commission during that meeting that harassment of student-athletes is at the forefront of the college governing body’s campaign, but the integrity of the sports and risks of insider information or manipulation of props are also a part of the advocacy.
“This is a major issue with us,” Meo told the commissioners.
Meo added that he spoke directly with University of Wyoming head football coach Craig Bohl, who supports banning player props because of “undue stress” on student-athletes.
Bohl also told Meo a story of a “distraught” player who was nearly in tears over a series of messages he found on his phone after a game from angry bettors.
Meo said that player harassment has occurred primarily online, but there are instances of it happening inside stadiums.
NCAA president Charlie Baker called for legal sports betting states to ban player props in March. Ohio, Maryland, Vermont, and Louisiana have all complied with the NCAA’s request, and Wyoming could be headed in that direction as well.
Not stopping there
Michael Steinberg, the Wyoming Gaming Commission’s operations manager who oversees sports betting, wants the Equity State to take harassment of all athletes, not just college ones, seriously.
He asked the commission on Thursday to look into implementing harsh penalties for bettors who go after athletes.
“In discussion with the NCAA and the University of Wyoming, we see this as a problem,” Steinberg said. “I don’t think we need to stop at the NCAA on our stance on harassment. We have rules against harassment in racing against jockeys."
Steinberg went as far as saying a bettor found in violation of potential harassment policies could lead to a ban from all sports betting platforms.
It’s a similar approach to what West Virginia’s legislature did in passing an anti-harassment bill in March. Meo suggested the commission take a look at that law.
The commission was receptive and will continue to discuss this issue.
