North Carolina State Representative Marcia Morey (D) filed House Bill 967 that would ban player props on college athletes, a movement gaining steam throughout the nation.
Rep Says Props Must Stop
Proposition bets have always been part of the sports betting landscape as they allow a bettor to wager on an individual’s performance as opposed to the game itself. Some of the more popular player props allow the bettor to wager over or under on total points scored by a particular athlete or on any number of categories like passing yards, rushing yards, or receiving yards depending on the sport.
But betting on professional athletes who get paid millions of dollars versus betting on college kids who may never make it to the next level has become a concern for many legislators. Especially after hearing from some college athletes who claim to have been harassed by bettors after a subpar performance.
Feeling the Pressure
UNC basketball player Armando Bacot has gone public with his account of being harassed after games, even if his team wins.
“It’s terrible,” Bacot told reporters after an NCAA Tournament win against Michigan State. “I looked at my DMs and I got like over a hundred messages from people telling me I suck and stuff like that because I didn’t get enough rebounds, so I mean I think it’s definitely a little out of hand.”
Armando Bacot says it can be “annoying” when bettors message him after games when he doesn’t achieve certain numbers.
“I looked at my DMs, and I got, like, over 100 messages from people telling me I sucked.” pic.twitter.com/PpcNZX2wjL— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 28, 2024
Stories like these and a plea from NCAA President Charlie Baker to ban college player props in all markets have spurred Representative Marcia Morey to file House Bill 967, which would prohibit online and retail sportsbooks in the Tar Heel State from offering college player props.
“We’re forgetting about the individuals who are actually playing the game and having the pressure on them. Let’s give them a break,” Morey said. “Then to know in the back of your mind, oh well people are going to watch every stroke, every turn, betting on every move I make, it takes away from the thrill of the sport, the enjoyment.”
Baker Wants National Ban
NCAA President, Charlie Baker, has made a public appeal to states that allow college player props to rethink their positions and ban them from their sports betting menus. Maryland, Ohio, and Vermont have already taken action, while Louisiana recently did as well, and Baker would like other states to follow suit.
With sports betting on the rise, the NCAA is acting to protect student-athletes from harassment and working to protect the integrity of the game – this week shows why it’s so important to act. pic.twitter.com/krATwpS4hZ
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) March 27, 2024
As far as North Carolina is concerned, it is too early to tell. However, some speculate that the sponsor of the sports betting bill, Representative Jason Saine (R), would be opposed to such a change in the legislation he crafted. Moreover, because he is a member of the legislative majority party, Morey’s bill may not have much of a chance.
Legal analyst John Holden believes eliminating college player props would not only cost sportsbook operators approximately $200 million per year but would encourage bettors to move to the unregulated market where they do allow prop bets on college athletes.
“We would not eliminate the market,” Holden said. “We would just push those bets back into darkness, where we cannot impose the same checks and balances. The solution is to improve the education around league rules, gambling laws, and policies, and increase funding for problem gambling resources.”
