Summary
- Proposition bets involving student-athletes have been associated with a rise in cases of athlete mistreatment.
- Enraged gamblers have directed threats and abuse at student-athletes after losing their bets.
- New Jersey aims to emulate other states by initially imposing restrictions on prop bets.
Last week, New Jersey's Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee advanced Senate Bill 3080. On Thursday, June 19, the committee unanimously approved the bill with a 5-0 vote.
New Jersey moves forward with measure to ban prop bets on college student-athletes
Senate Bill 3080 is set for a full Senate hearing before it goes to the House of Representatives. The bill's objective is straightforward: to ban proposition bets on college athletes to reduce the abuse directed at these students. Both hecklers and online trolls have taken to social media and attend live games to harass players, even issuing death threats when wagers are lost. The reason, as stated by Sen. Kristen Corrado, is gambling, particularly proposition bets, which have exacerbated the harassment of student-athletes. Sen. Corrado, who has a deep understanding of the issue, strongly believes that prohibiting prop bets in New Jersey is a significant move toward ensuring the safety of student-athletes. I have learned of numerous cases where individuals were harassed online for not meeting the expectations of gamblers who placed side bets on their performance. This legislation will prohibit player-specific proposition betting in New Jersey, helping to curtail such unacceptable behavior and making college sports safer for all involved, Corrado stated. Sen. Corrado's concerns are shared by others worried about the online and physical abuse of student-athletes. The NCAA has prioritized collaborating with various stakeholders, including tech companies and law enforcement, to protect students and hold online harassers accountable. The NCAA also supports the elimination of proposition bets from regulated sports gambling, arguing there's a link between these bets and the harassment of student-athletes. States like Ohio, Maryland, Vermont, Louisiana, and 11 others have already taken action to ban prop bets on college athletes, ensuring these students are safeguarded from any potential threats.
Abuse against athletes comes in many forms
The primary concern is that professional athletes are being harassed by individuals who have lost bets. Many of these athletes, including those in high-performance categories, have received death threats directed at both themselves and their families. This issue is further complicated by situations where an athlete's victory leads to new forms of online harassment. Banning prop bets on college athletes is certainly a positive step towards reducing abuse against this vulnerable group, but it will likely not be sufficient on its own.
