In a recent move to protect the integrity of sports betting and ensure the safety of college athletes, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) has issued an order prohibiting player prop bets in college sports starting on Aug. 1. The LGCB chairman, Ronnie Johns, emphasized that the order was in the works before the NCAA’s call to action on college proposition bets.
Following reports of integrity issues and player harassment in recent months, NCAA president Charlie Baker urged for increased scrutiny surrounding player props in college athletics. Baker highlighted the rising issues with prop bets threatening the integrity and competition of sports, leading to harassment of student and professional athletes.
Louisiana joins other states like Maryland, Ohio, and Vermont in banning prop bets on college athletes. Some states only allow player prop betting on college teams located outside of the state, while others, like North Carolina, have no restrictions on college player props.
Several states, including New Jersey, Kansas, and Wyoming, are considering banning college player prop bets after Baker’s call to action. Wyoming is set to discuss the ban at a meeting on May 9, following the lead of states working to address the threats posed by prop bets in college sports.
The LGCB’s order allows operators to honor any outstanding prop bets but should make every effort to comply with the new rule despite potential challenges in identifying players impacted. The goal is to protect the integrity of sports betting and ensure the safety and integrity of college athletes.
