Ohio has recently taken a major step in sports betting regulation by deciding to ban player-specific prop bets on NCAA games, advancing efforts to shield student athletes from potential exploitation and safeguard the integrity of collegiate sports. This development follows an appeal from NCAA president Charlie Baker, who penned a letter to the Ohio Casino Control Commission’s (OCCC) executive director Matt Schuler. The letter, which also garnered backing from Ohio governor Mike DeWine, urged a prohibition on these player-focused wagers.
Under the new regulations, bettors will be precluded from placing bets on individual performance metrics such as how many yards a quarterback will throw or the number of points a basketball player will score in NCAA contests. Sports betting operators in the state now have a deadline set to March 1st to fully enforce these rules.
This move by the OCCC positions Ohio as the 25th state to either restrict or entirely forbid these kinds of prop bets on NCAA games. The ban aims to mitigate potential pressures and harassment from bettors towards NCAA athletes, while also addressing concerns related to match fixing.
January 2023 marked the initiation of legal sports betting in Ohio, and in July of that same year, the state enacted a law designed to deter individuals who have threatened athletes from engaging in sports wagers, setting the backdrop for the current restrictions on prop bets.
Governor Mike DeWine welcomed the OCCC’s swift action with a statement emphasizing the importance of focusing betting on team outcomes rather than individual performances. This redirection is believed to benefit Ohio’s betting market by shifting the attention to the collective achievements of teams over the singular efforts of student athletes.
These measures are indicative of the NCAA’s increasing dedication to bolstering protections for its student athletes and ensuring the fairness of college competitions. The NCAA is actively working toward the implementation of fresh legislation and has developed a new model legislative process which it encourages states to adopt.
Among the proposed protective mechanisms is the establishment of a mandatory reporting hotline. This tool would enable gambling authorities to alert law enforcement regarding any instances of harassment or coercive behavior directed toward players or staff.
The NCAA also seeks to roll out regulations that would screen and disqualify problematic bettors and make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to place sports bets. Advertisement guidelines are also on their list, suggesting that adverts should include information about the mandatory reporting hotline, problem gambling awareness, and the prohibition of harassment.
Moreover, the NCAA recommends that a portion of revenues from sports betting should be designated for educational initiatives on the harms of gambling. Echoing this educational approach, the NCAA in October launched its first sports wagering e-learning module, aimed at educating student athletes about the risks associated with gambling.
Alarmingly, a 2023 study disclosed that one of every four major US college sports programs had reported harassment targeting their student athletes from individuals with gambling interests within the previous year. Furthermore, 27% of institutions from the so-called Power Five conferences acknowledged facing sports wagering issues among their athletes or staff in the last twelve months, a substantial increase from the 3% reported in 2019.
This recent decision from Ohio reflects the growing realization that the well-being of student athletes extends beyond the playing field, demanding additional protections in the face of evolving sports betting landscapes. With this ban on individual prop bets, Ohio not only aligns itself with other proactive states but also charts a course for a more responsible and team-centric sports betting culture.
