Ohio Cracks Down: Banning Player Prop Bets to Shield College Athletes

In an effort to address the growing concerns surrounding the impact of sports betting on college athletes, Ohio has taken decisive action by removing proposition (prop) betting on individual collegiate players from the realm of legal sports wagers. This move, effective immediately, underscores a broader initiative to protect student-athletes from the potential harms associated with gambling, including online threats and harassment.

The decision, spurred by troubling incidents involving University of Dayton basketball players who faced online threats from gamblers, has received widespread support, including from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Echoing the sentiments of University of Dayton's basketball coach Anthony Grant, who openly criticized the personal attacks on his players by bettors, Gov. DeWine emphasized the importance of redirecting the focus of sports betting towards team outcomes rather than individual performances. This approach aims to shield young athletes from undue pressure and safeguard their well-being.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), acting on a request from the NCAA, has laid down the law to sports betting operators, giving them a deadline to comply with the new regulations that prohibit wagers on individual athlete's performance or statistics in NCAA-governed sports. This rule change does not extend to professional sports, where prop bets remain permissible.

The ban reflects a broader concern over the vulnerability of college athletes to the negative effects of gambling, including the potential for harassment, the solicitation of insider information, and attempts to manipulate game outcomes. By eliminating prop bets on individual players, Ohio joins more than 20 states in a collective effort to mitigate these risks and maintain the integrity of collegiate sports.

Ohio's legal landscape had already been shifting to address the issue of gambling-related threats towards athletes, with a 2023 law aimed at banning individuals who threaten athletes from participating in sports gaming. This law, coupled with the recent ban on prop betting, illustrates Ohio's comprehensive approach to creating a safer and more ethical sports betting environment.

The NCAA has applauded Ohio's decision, with NCAA president Charlie Baker expressing gratitude for the OCCC's recognition of the serious threats posed by prop bets to student-athletes' mental health and the integrity of the game. The OCCC's swift action to implement the ban underscores a shared commitment to prioritizing the well-being and fair treatment of student-athletes in the face of growing sports betting markets.

As the deadline approaches for Ohio sportsbook operators to eliminate prop betting options on collegiate athletes, the move is seen as a pivotal step in safeguarding the integrity of sports gaming and protecting young athletes from the darker aspects of gambling culture. This legislative action reflects a growing awareness of the need to balance the excitement and engagement of sports betting with the protection and respect of those who play the game.