Ohio Takes a Stand and Bans Player Prop Bets on NCAA Games

Ohio has taken a significant step in the realm of sports betting regulation by banning player prop bets on NCAA games, following a request from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The decision, announced by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), marks a pivotal move to protect NCAA athletes and preserve the integrity of college sports competitions.

Safeguarding Athlete Well-Being

The catalyst for this ban stemmed from a letter sent by NCAA president Charlie Baker to Matt Schuler, the executive director of the OCCC, urging the commission to implement restrictions on player-specific prop wagers. Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio also lent his to the initiative, emphasizing the need to shield student athletes from potential harassment and safeguard against match-fixing.

Effective immediately, bettors will no longer have the option to place wagers on markets such as a quarterback’s ing yards or a basketball player’s points for NCAA games. Operators have been given until March 1st to comply with the new regulations, which align Ohio with 24 other states that have either prohibited or limited player-specific prop bets on NCAA contests.

Ohio’s foray into legal sports betting commenced in January 2023, and subsequent legislation in July aimed to prevent individuals who posed threats to athletes from participating in sports wagering activities, foreshadowing the recent ban on prop bets.

Governor DeWine commended the OCCC’s swift action, highlighting the importance of redirecting betting attention towards teams rather than individual athletes to enhance market integrity and protect student athletes from undue harm.

This move reflects the NCAA’s broader mission to shield college athletes from the adverse effects of gambling and uphold the sanctity of collegiate sports. The NCAA has been actively advocating for legislative reforms across states, proposing measures such as mandatory reporting hotlines for gambling-related harassment, age restrictions on sports wagering, and allocating a portion of sports betting revenue to gambling harm education.

In October, the NCAA launched its inaugural sports wagering e-learning module, aimed at educating student athletes about the risks associated with gambling and raising awareness about gambling-related harms.

The impetus for these initiatives stems from a 2023 study revealing a concerning trend of gambling-related harassment among college athletes. The study found that one in four leading US college sports programs had reported instances of student athletes being targeted by individuals with gambling interests within the past year, a significant increase from previous years.

A Defining Moment for Ohio

As the NCAA continues its efforts to combat gambling-related harms and protect the integrity of collegiate sports, Ohio’s ban on player prop bets on NCAA games stands as a pivotal milestone in the ongoing battle against gambling-related threats to student athletes.

Meanwhile, the sports handle in Washington DC in January experienced a notable decline of 21%, reaching $16.0 million. Despite this overall decrease, the lottery’s own sports betting brand, emerged as a standout performer during the month.

It not only retained its status as the clear market leader but also commanded an impressive 45% share of the market, with total wagers amounting to $7.2 million. Although the figures reflected an 18% decrease in wagers compared to the same period the previous year, it marked the brand’s third-best month since its initial launch.

Source:

“Ohio bans player prop bets on NCAA games”, igamingbusiness.com, February 26, 2024.