More states banning ‘prop bets,’ citing harassment of athletes

Saturday, April 13, 2024 12:17 PM
  • Howard Stutz, The Nevada Independent

In March, NCAA President Charlie Baker said the organization was asking state gaming regulators nationwide to ban proposition wagering, or prop bets, on college athletes because of evidence that gamblers are harassing collegiate players, both online and at games.

“Oh, yeah, it happens all the time,’’ Purdue center Zach Edey told The Athletic.

This month, Louisiana became the 12th state to enact the ban. It won’t be the last. Minnesota, one of five states where lawmakers are actively considering sports betting legalization, would ban the activity, which allows fans to wager through mobile accounts on aspects of a player’s performance during games — total rebounds or points scored for a basketball player; total touchdowns scored or total yards gained for a football player.