Vermont takes a stand: college player prop betting banned
In a move that aligns with a growing trend across the United States, Vermont has recently updated its sports wagering regulations to ban individual player prop betting on NCAA-sanctioned events. This decision by Vermont’s Department of Liquor and Lottery (DLL) is part of a broader effort to protect student-athletes from potential harassment and exploitation.
The updated regulations now state that “Individual player proposition (prop) bets will not be allowed on any NCAA allowed game offered in Vermont. Proposition bets that cover the entire team will be allowed.” This change comes as lawmakers and regulators across the country are growing increasingly concerned about the potential for student-athlete harassment.
Vermont is not the first state to implement such restrictions. Maryland and Ohio have also recently banned college player prop betting, and legislation has been passed in Ohio and West Virginia that would allow for the banning of abusive gamblers. These changes reflect a broader shift in the sports wagering landscape, with a majority of U.S. states now prohibiting or limiting college player prop betting.
Growing trend in U.S. sports wagering regulation
The NCAA and its president, former Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker, have been actively lobbying lawmakers and gaming regulators for such restrictions. Their concerns centre around the potential for leaks of inside information and the harassment of student-athletes by sports bettors.
In response to these concerns, some states have taken proactive measures. Maryland, for instance, decided to ban college player prop betting even before receiving an official request from the NCAA. Similarly, in Ohio, regulators were urged by the NCAA to remove college player props from the state’s sports wagering offerings.
Legal sports betting in Vermont only began in January, with DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel emerging as the state’s three authorized operators following a competitive bidding process. While the ban on college player prop betting is unlikely to significantly impact these companies due to the relatively small size of the state and the handle of those wagering markets, it could potentially irritate gamblers, especially with popular events like March Madness on the horizon.
Despite these potential challenges, the move to ban college player prop betting is seen as a necessary step to protect student-athletes. As more states follow suit, it is clear that the landscape of sports wagering in the U.S. is evolving, with a greater emphasis being placed on the protection of athletes. As this trend continues, it is likely that we will see further changes to sports wagering regulations across the country.
