Lawmakers in Washington and Massachusetts are taking opposing stances on the contentious issue of proposition bets in sports betting.
In Washington, the Legislature has passed a bill permitting prop bets on college sports, while still prohibiting individual athlete prop bets. Conversely, Massachusetts is advancing legislation that seeks to ban all prop and live bets as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat problem gambling.
This divergence highlights a broader national conversation about the potential risks associated with prop wagers, especially those involving college athletes.
Washington's Prop Bet Legislation Heads to Governor
The Washington Legislature has approved Senate Bill 6137, which is now on its way to Governor Jay Inslee after receiving strong support in both chambers.
The Senate voted in favor of the bill early in February with a 41-8 margin, followed by the House, which passed it 70-26 after some amendments were made. The Senate concurred with these changes on March 10.
The bill aims to enhance the regulated sports betting industry in Washington. Currently, sports betting is only permitted at tribal casinos, but this new legislation will allow sportsbooks to offer wagers on collegiate events, including those involving Washington teams, albeit with certain restrictions.
Specifically, the bill prohibits betting on:
- The performance of athletes at Washington colleges.
- Coaching decisions like substitutions or timeouts.
- Officiating calls in games involving Washington schools.
Additionally, the legislation bans placing bets based on insider information or attempting to bribe athletes or influence games through monetary incentives. Threatening or harassing sports officials, athletes, or coaches is also explicitly prohibited.
The bill's passage comes in the wake of the NCAA's advocacy for a nationwide ban on college prop bets due to integrity concerns and recent point-shaving scandals.
Massachusetts Moves Towards a Ban on Prop Bets
In contrast, Massachusetts lawmakers are pursuing a different approach. The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies has favorably reported Senate Bill 302, which has now been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
This bill aims to prohibit both in-play wagers and proposition bets, thus limiting sportsbooks to traditional straight bets made before games commence. Proponents argue that the legislation seeks to mitigate the economic, health, and social harms associated with sports betting.
The proposal includes several consumer protection measures, such as:
- Affordability assessments for bettors who wager over $1,000 per day or $10,000 per month, ensuring these amounts do not exceed 15% of their available funds.
- Restrictions on specific marketing practices by sportsbooks.
- Enhanced data collection and reporting on betting behaviors to aid research into gambling addiction.
This push for stricter regulations follows a recent change by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which mandates that sportsbooks must notify bettors within 48 hours if they are being limited, provide reasons for the decision, and identify the affected betting markets.
While this rule does not prevent operators from limiting successful bettors, it does promote greater transparency in the practice.
These regulatory changes and the proposed legislation reflect a broader initiative in Massachusetts to strengthen oversight of sportsbook operations and betting formats.
Washington Stands Apart from National Prop Bet Restrictions
Interestingly, Washington's decision contrasts with a growing trend across the nation, as Massachusetts joins other states advocating for restrictions on prop bets, particularly those involving college athletes.