The NCAA’s effort to curtail the proliferation of individual player prop markets for college sports has reached America’s newest online sports betting market.
The NCAA sent a letter to the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) requesting a ban on individual player props for college sports markets. NCAA President Charlie Baker sent the letter to MGC Executive Director Michael Leara requesting the ban as the NCAA deals with its latest gambling-related scandal. Last week, over 30 college basketball players were included in a federal indictment that alleged the operation of a point-shaving scheme. The probe adds to recent gambling woes for the NCAA tied to performance manipulation.
The issues included manipulating performances for individual player prop markets.
“To better protect student-athletes, game officials and competitions, state laws and regulations must be amended to remove the types of bets we know are being manipulated,” the letter stated. “Player prop bets increase the risk of insider information being solicited and/or leveraged to manipulate betting markets. Student-athletes, unlike professional athletes, are far more accessible to other students and members of the public.”
The NCAA is requesting the MGC to amend its rules to ban college player props not only to protect the integrity of competition but also the well-being of student-athletes nationwide.
The NCAA believes a ban on player props can combat gambling-related abuse. During last year’s March Madness tournament, the NCAA and Signify identified over 3,000 social media posts and comments that were abusive toward student-athletes. The flagged posts led Signify to initiate 103 investigations, with 10 incidents referred to law enforcement.
The NCAA data also found that roughly 36% of DI men’s basketball players have reported receiving abusive messaging from someone who has a betting interest in college sports.
“In light of these developments, in addition to the conduct the NCAA has uncovered and continues to investigate, the NCAA reiterates its request that state laws and regulations be amended to better protect student-athletes, game officials and the integrity of NCAA competitions,” continues Baker.
A renewed request by the NCAA & Baker
Baker first voiced his desire for a ban on college player props in 2023. Since then, several gaming regulators have listened and enforced bans on the betting markets. The states that ban college player props include Ohio, Maryland, Vermont and Louisiana.
Lawmakers in New Jersey have also considered legislation that explicitly bans college player prop betting in the state. However, the Garden State currently does not allow college player prop wagering on New Jersey collegiate teams as part of its blanket wagering ban on matches involving in-state schools.
NCAA also wants to ban first-half spread markets
Baker also wants to prohibit bettors from wagering on first half under spreads for college basketball. The request comes amid the federal probe tied to the NCAA basketball players who allegedly manipulated their gameplay, leading co-conspirators to place illicit wagers. A group of co-defendants in the case allegedly conspired with student-athletes to place large wagers on teams to cover the spread of the first half of a game or an entire game. The indictment details the scheme involving 39 college basketball players across 17 schools.
The student-athletes were offered cash bribe payments for their participation in the scheme, with payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000. Baker wants to ban certain first-half wagers to combat further nefarious gambling activity.
“Across collegiate and professional sports, it’s been demonstrated that these markets are being targeted for manipulation, and certain betting operators have opted in to excluding these for certain leagues they have commercial deals with,” added Baker. “The NCAA does not have such deals with operators.”
The MGC is accepting public comment on the matter in the wake of the NCAA’s request.
Members of the public have until Jan. 21 to submit comments to the MGC. Meanwhile, the NCAA vows to continue providing gambling-related education to its student-athletes.
