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Ohio has officially declared a ban on player-specific proposition bets in college sports, responding to concerns over harassment and the integrity of games. This new rule, set by the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), will be effective from March 1, 2024, significantly altering the betting practices in the state.
Directed by OCCC’s Matthew Schuler, this initiative aims to curb bets on individual college athletes’ performances, such as the total points a basketball player will score or a football player’s total yards. Schuler pointed out the increased harassment of student-athletes and the potential for cheating as the main drivers behind this decision. “The occurrences of an increase in the harassment of student-athletes based on their performance presented a clear danger to the best interests of Ohio,” Schuler explained, highlighting the rationale for the ban.
The push for this change also came from the NCAA and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, both advocating for measures to protect student-athletes from the negative impacts of betting. Governor DeWine expressed his support, stating that shifting the focus from individual performances to team outcomes would enhance Ohio’s betting environment.
Despite the ban’s intent to safeguard athletes, it faces criticism from betting operators who fear it might push bettors towards unregulated markets, potentially aggravating the very issues it aims to solve. Furthermore, the ban is expected to impact the state financially; player-specific prop bets generated roughly $105 million in wagers and $2.5 million in tax revenue last year. However, Schuler notes these figures are just a small portion of Ohio’s total betting volume.
Ohio joins over 20 other states in imposing such restrictions, reinforcing its commitment to student-athlete welfare over betting revenues.