As legal sports betting spreads across the United States, a troubling side effect has emerged: thousands of prop bets on individual college athletes are turning fans into harassers. The NCAA, recognizing the danger to young men and women, is calling on Congress and state legislatures to act swiftly.
Prop bets create a direct target on student‑athletes
During this year’s men’s basketball tournament, online platforms listed nearly 21,000 player‑specific wagers, according to an analysis by the Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism and the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. On average, each game offered more than 300 prop bets, and the Final Four alone featured close to a thousand options.
These bets focus on single‑player outcomes—how many three‑pointers a shooter will make, who scores first, or whether a bench player will record a rebound. When a player misses a shot or turns the ball over, frustrated bettors often respond with hostile messages, ranging from demanding money to outright threats.
NCAA leadership calls the issue urgent
“I met with about 1,000 college athletes… and this was the number one issue they were talking to me about then,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker, who described harassment linked to sports betting as a “particularly urgent” problem. Baker has urged both federal and state lawmakers to pass legislation that protects players from online abuse.
In March 2024, the NCAA launched a public‑awareness campaign called “Draw the Line.” The effort includes webinars, videos, and a dedicated contact form that lets parents, officials, and athletes report harassment directly to the organization. A 30‑second animated spot aired during tournament broadcasts, reminding players that every pass and shot can become a target for bettors.
Survey shows one‑third of players have been harassed
According to the NCAA’s March 2026 Student‑Athlete Needs, Aspirations and Perspectives survey, one in three men’s basketball players reported online, verbal, or physical abuse tied to sports betting. One in four said they experienced harassment in person. Lydia Bell, the NCAA’s managing director of research, explained that the survey simply asks whether athletes have been harassed by someone on social media or in connection with betting.
Legal experts stress that the problem is not merely a cultural shift but a real safety concern. Ronald Rychlak, distinguished professor of law at the University of Mississippi, called the situation “preposterous” and warned that the pressure on young athletes is “a very serious issue that students shouldn’t have to put up with.”
States begin to act
Fifteen states—including Maryland, New York, and Ohio—have already banned prop betting on individual players. West Virginia recently passed a law that bans bettors who harass student‑athletes from wagering in the state, while Louisiana gave its gaming commission authority to bar threatening gamblers.
NCAA officials have been active in state capitals. Austin Meo, assistant director of government relations, testified before the New Jersey Legislature in 2024 and 2025, and Clint Hangebrauck, managing director of enterprise risk management, emphasized that player prop bets “put a direct target on the back of student‑athletes.”
What families and faith communities can do
Parents and church groups are encouraged to educate young athletes about the risks of online betting and to support the NCAA’s “Draw the Line” resources. By fostering a protective environment at home and in faith‑based settings, families can help counter the “perfect storm” of constant advertising and gambling addiction that experts say fuels harassment.
The NCAA’s push for stronger betting regulations aligns with broader conservative values of protecting families, upholding personal liberty, and preserving the integrity of our beloved college sports traditions.
Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.
