The Dark Side of Sports Betting: Rising Threats to College Athletes Amid Prop Betting Craze
In a recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, NCAA President Charlie Baker highlighted the troubling consequences of rising sports betting, particularly prop bets that allow wagering on individual athletes’ performances. He reported a disturbing increase in harassment and threats faced by college athletes as a direct result of these betting practices.
Surge in Threats Against Athletes
‘The rise in sports betting has impacted the NCAA and its student athletes in a significant way,’ Baker stated, emphasizing that the harassment and coercion experienced by athletes is among the most severe issues brought on by this trend. Prop bets, which allow fans to wager on specific performance metrics, have resulted in increased online and in-person threats to college players, according to Baker.
The testimony illustrated specific examples of harassment. During the 2023 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, North Carolina player Armando Bacot had a standout performance but received over 100 messages from frustrated gamblers after the game. Despite scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a victory over Michigan State, Bacot’s performance fell short of a gambler’s expectations for rebounds, illustrating the intense pressure athletes now face from betting fans.
Examination of Legalized Sports Betting
Baker’s testimony was part of a broader congressional inquiry into the consequences of legalized sports betting in the United States. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018, which allowed states to legalize sports betting with minimal federal oversight, the industry has rapidly expanded. Currently, 38 states, along with the District of Columbia, have authorized some form of sports betting, a trend that is expected to grow further by 2025. Baker noted that among these, 19 states permit prop betting on college sports.
Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, pointed to a worrying increase in gambling-related issues, particularly among young, online male sports bettors, noting that ‘it is clear gambling problems have grown over the last six years.’
Legislative Responses
In response to the growing concerns surrounding sports gambling, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut proposed legislation aimed at creating federal regulations on the industry. The proposed reforms would require state approval from the Department of Justice for sports betting, prohibit prop bets on college athletes, and impose restrictions on advertising for betting platforms.
Harry Levant, a gambling counselor, reinforced these concerns, stating that the “normalization of gambling” as part of sports poses significant long-term risks, given that gambling is recognized as an addictive activity.
Industry Pushback on Regulation
The gambling industry, however, has expressed resistance to calls for increased federal oversight. Industry advocates argue that state and local jurisdictions are better equipped to manage and regulate sports betting practices. Thus far, there has been limited enthusiasm on Capitol Hill to pursue sweeping legislative changes.
As the discussion surrounding the future of sports betting continues, the impact on college athletes remains a critical area of concern, prompting calls for more robust protections and oversight to ensure the welfare of young athletes in an increasingly commercialized sports landscape.