The rise of sports betting in college sports is causing major problems for student athletes, according to NCAA president Charlie Baker. Prop bets that allow wagers on individual athletes’ performances have led to an increase in threats and harassment against players, with even winning athletes receiving abuse from disgruntled gamblers. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to examine the impact of legalized sports betting, with experts highlighting the growth of gambling problems among young, online male sports bettors. Sen. Richard Blumenthal has introduced legislation to impose federal guardrails on sports betting, including banning prop bets on college athletes and limiting advertising for betting platforms. However, the gambling industry argues that states and local jurisdictions are better equipped to govern betting. As of now, 38 states and the District of Columbia have approved sports betting, with the list expected to grow in the coming years. Despite the concerns raised about the negative impact of sports betting on college athletes, there has been limited interest on Capitol Hill for new legislation in this area. Baker emphasized that 19 of the states currently allow prop betting on college sports, highlighting the need for increased regulations to protect student athletes from the harmful effects of sports betting.
Source
Photo credit www.denver7.com
NCAA Official Cautions Against Negative Aspects of College Sports Betting
