College authorities in Maryland have proscribed wagers on individual athletes, following in the footsteps of other states enforcing regulations in college sports betting.
Title: Maryland and Ohio Crack Down on College Sports Prop Bets for Athlete Safety
Hey there! Let's chat about the recent moves made by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming, as well as Ohio's sports betting, concerning player-specific prop bets. Both states have stepped up to ban these specific wagers in intercollegiate competitions, joining forces with the NCAA's ongoing efforts to protect college athletes.
Covers was the first to report the news, with the ban in Maryland taking effect on March 1st. A Maryland Lottery and Gaming spokesperson confirmed the decision was made to safeguard college athletes from potential harassment related to their individual statistical performances. It's worth mentioning that Ohio had already announced its ban on player-specific prop bets on February 23rd.
DraftKings, one of the leading players in the sports betting market, indirectly acknowledged the ban via Twitter over the weekend. Their customer service team responded to inquiries about placing such wagers, stating that players located in Maryland would be unable to wager on NCAA Player Props due to state regulations.
Maryland Lottery and Gaming has reported a total handle of $124.5 million on college basketball from November 1 through January 31, generating $7.5 million in sports betting revenue for operators. This represents 7.5% of the overall wagers accepted in that span, making college sports a significant market for sports betting.
The NCAA has been actively pushing for a ban on player-specific college prop bets, pointing out the potential for online harassment against athletes and the risk of insider information being used to manipulate betting markets. Their concerns have found sympathetic ears, particularly in Ohio and Maryland, where the prospect of reducing harassment significantly resonates with regulators.
As college basketball gears up for conference tournament play and, ultimately, the NCAA Tournament, the focus on player-specific prop bets is growing. With the tournament starting on March 19th, the need to ensure athletic integrity and create a harassment-free environment for students is essential.
In conclusion, efforts by Maryland and Ohio to ban player-specific prop bets serve two primary purposes: to maintain the fairness and safety of college sports and to protect student-athletes from potential harassment linked to betting activities. This move can be seen as a small but positive step in the right direction for college sports governance, which has faced numerous criticisms in the past.
Sports-betting operators, such as DraftKings, are adjusting to changes in Maryland and Ohio following their respective bans on sports betting prop bets in intercollegiate competitions. These bans aim to protect college athletes from potential harassment and the risk of insider information being used. With the NCAA Tournament starting on March 19th, maintaining fairness and creating a harassment-free environment for student-athletes becomes increasingly important. This move towards stricter regulations in sports-betting is a step towards improving college sports governance.
