Sports betting has become a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States, and the NCAA is reportedly taking steps to protect its athletes from outside pressure and influences.
One way the entity aims to do that is by banning prop bets on college sports and athletes nationwide.
NCAA Suggests Banning Player Props On All College Sports
In a quote picture posted on X/Twitter early Wednesday morning, NCAA president Charlie Baker outlined the importance of banning player props for college players nationwide.
“The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats, and many are responding by banning college prop bets,” Baker said as part of the memo.
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
Many states, including Tennessee and Ohio, have banned player props on college athletes, while others have banned prop bets for players on teams in that state of residence. Some states, including Massachusetts, have a blanket ban betting on in-state college teams.
The announcement comes on the heels of two betting stories making national headlines. Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is under the microscope after his personal interpreter was accused of stealing millions from the two-way player to place bets with a bookie in California.
Raptors player Jontay Porter is being investigated regarding abnormal betting activity following two separate dates on which his unders all hit convincingly when he left games early with minor injuries. In both instances, his unders were the highest-grossing player prop for Sportsbook players.
10 months ago, Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired after providing insider information to a friend who tried to bet $100,000 against the Crimson Tide.
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There is certainly the potential for cheating within the current system, and the fear is that players will be approached or pressured to throw games so bettors can make money.
The NCAA, while criticized in the past for not protecting its players, is attempting to shield athletes from the added pressure of player props by making it illegal to place bets on individual college athletes.
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