In a significant development for college sports, Ohio has decided to put an end to proposition bets on individual college athletes. This decision, set to take effect on March 1, 2024, comes as a response to growing concerns over harassment and the misuse of insider information. The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), following discussions with the NCAA president and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, has taken a firm stance to prioritize the mental health and safety of student-athletes over betting interests.
An alarming incident at the University of Dayton brought the issue to light, where basketball players were subjected to hate messages from gamblers following game losses. This highlighted the negative impact of prop betting on athletes’ mental well-being. In support of changing the betting rules, Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of focusing on team performance rather than individual athletes to shield them from potential threats.
Support and Opposition to the Ban
The decision has been met with widespread approval from officials and organizations concerned with student-athlete welfare. NCAA President Charlie Baker and other officials have lauded Ohio’s efforts to amend sports wagering rules, aiming to protect student-athletes and ensure the integrity of games. Despite player-specific prop bets constituting less than 1.4% of total sports wagers in Ohio, their existence significantly increased the likelihood of targeted harassment.
However, some sports gaming operators have expressed objections to an outright ban, arguing that it could push bettors towards illegal operators lacking safeguards against bullying or harassment allegations. Nevertheless, these operators also recognize their capacity to investigate such allegations. A law passed in 2023 aims to further protect athletes by banning individuals who have threatened them from gambling, serving as a preventative measure against harassment.
Implementing the Ban and Its Implications
The OCCC has laid out restrictions on proposition bets involving individual athlete’s performance or statistics in NCAA-governed events, while still allowing full team performance prop bets under certain conditions. Sports betting operators are given a deadline of March 1, 2024, to fully implement these restrictions and void all impacted wagers.
This move by Ohio is expected to significantly limit harassment threats against student-athletes, aiming to improve their well-being and decrease insider information risks for betting markets. Wagering data indicates that removing college prop bets will result in 2.2% fewer available wagering options overall, affecting less than 0.75% of all wagers made.
Ohio’s Comprehensive Approach to Athlete Protection
Beyond the ban, Ohio has taken proactive steps to address athlete harassment, including the development of an app for reporting abuse. This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect student-athletes and maintain the integrity of collegiate competitions, despite potential negative impacts on operator and tax revenue. The state’s actions reflect a growing trend among states to limit or ban player-specific prop bets for single games, underscoring the importance of athlete welfare in the sports betting landscape.
In conclusion, Ohio’s decision to end college prop sports betting marks a significant step towards safeguarding the mental health and safety of student-athletes. By prioritizing the well-being of individuals over betting interests, Ohio sets a precedent for other states to follow, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to sports betting that respects the integrity of collegiate sports and the dignity of those who participate in them.
