The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is set to evaluate a proposal from the NCAA aimed at banning proposition wagers on college athletes during its meeting on June 25. This topic will be discussed as a separate agenda item titled “College Athletics Proposition Bets,” where commissioners will review the NCAA's request for a prohibition based on Indiana Code §4-38-9-4(b).
This request follows a campaign initiated by the NCAA in January, which urged state regulators to restrict betting on the performances of individual college athletes. The NCAA argues that such wagers pose significant integrity risks and can lead to harassment of athletes.
Indiana law permits sports governing bodies to request restrictions on betting. According to Ind. Code §4-38-9-4, if a governing body demonstrates valid reasons, the commission is obligated to grant the request.
During the upcoming meeting, commissioners will deliberate on this important matter.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has consistently advocated for states to ban wagers on individual college athlete performances, citing concerns about integrity risks associated with these markets.
In a letter from January, Baker expressed worries regarding athlete harassment, the solicitation of insider information, and the potential for spot-fixing. This letter followed a scandal involving 39 players from 17 schools linked to point-shaving.
Baker emphasized that player-specific bets increase pressure on athletes, as bettors can focus on individual performances. He noted that these types of bets are particularly vulnerable to manipulation since a single athlete can sway the outcome without impacting the overall game.
In the letter, Baker stated that the NCAA has formally requested state regulators to revise laws to eliminate player prop bets, a request the IGC is currently addressing.
Different states have adopted varying stances on this issue. Several have moved to limit or outright ban wagers on individual college athletes. In response to a 2023 NCAA request, states like Maryland, Louisiana, Ohio, and Vermont have enacted bans on college prop bets.
Conversely, the Missouri Gaming Commission opted not to prohibit these wagers after the January request, citing insufficient information to support the NCAA's appeal, especially given that the market had only recently launched.
Additionally, separate proposals to ban prop bets in Louisiana and Colorado were unsuccessful this year, as lawmakers expressed concerns over potential revenue losses. In Louisiana, for instance, lawmakers estimated a possible $20 million drop in tax revenue if such bets were prohibited.
Unlike other states that may need new regulations, Indiana's sports wagering laws explicitly allow sports governing bodies to request restrictions on specific types of wagers. If the NCAA's request is approved, Indiana would align with a growing number of states that have limited betting on individual college athlete performances.