Wyoming Enacts Rules to Penalize Athlete Harassment

The Wyoming Gaming Commission has taken a bold step to protect athletes by penalizing those who engage in harassment.

Harassment, including threats and lewd behavior, will now result in offenders being banned from betting statewide.

With unanimous support from stakeholders, Wyoming is ensuring fair play and safety in sports betting.

Discover how this rule could set a precedent for sports betting regulations across the United States.

Wyoming Gaming Commission Enforces Penalties for Athlete Harassment

Key Points:

1. Harassment Penalties Introduced: The Wyoming Gaming Commission now penalizes athlete harassment by banning offenders from betting statewide.
2. Involuntary Exclusion List: Harassers are added to a list accessible by all operators, ensuring they are denied betting privileges.
3. Stakeholder Support: The NCAA, University of Wyoming, and betting operators back this move, emphasizing the importance of sports integrity.

Wyoming Gaming Commission Cracks Down on Athlete Harassment

The Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) has unanimously voted to implement new rules aimed at penalizing individuals who harass athletes, coaches, officials, or others involved in sporting events. This landmark decision, made on November 22, adds offenders to the state’s involuntary exclusion list, effectively banning them from all sports betting activities within Wyoming.

The move comes four months after the commission debated banning college-player prop bets, a measure supported by the NCAA in its nationwide campaign. However, commissioners determined that banning such bets would not address the root cause of harassment. Instead, they opted for direct penalties against the offenders.

Addressing Harassment in Sports

During a July meeting, Scott Ward, a lobbyist with the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), argued that banning prop bets could inadvertently push bettors toward offshore platforms, exacerbating unregulated gambling. The WGC’s operations manager, Michael Steinberg, echoed these concerns in his findings, questioning whether banning prop bets would meaningfully reduce harassment.

“We all agree that harassment of student-athletes is bad and should not be tolerated,” Steinberg stated. “The question then becomes, is banning prop bets going to eliminate the harassment of athletes?”

Instead of limiting betting options, the commission chose to amend its rules to include a clear definition of harassment and enact penalties.

Defining Harassment and Enforcing Penalties

The new definition of “harass” outlines prohibited behaviors, including:

• Verbal, written, or electronic threats
• Lewd or obscene statements or images
• Vandalism or nonconsensual physical contact

These actions must result in substantial emotional distress, fear for safety, or property damage for the victim.

Individuals found guilty of harassment will be placed on the involuntary exclusion list, which is accessible to all sports betting operators in Wyoming. Once added, offenders will be denied the ability to place bets in the state.

The list aims to create a safer and more ethical environment for sports participants and fans alike.

Nationwide Context

Wyoming joins a small group of states taking proactive measures against athlete harassment. Currently, only Ohio and West Virginia have similar regulations penalizing such behavior in sports betting.

Meanwhile, the NCAA’s campaign to ban college-player prop bets has seen success in 13 jurisdictions across the U.S., reflecting growing concerns about player safety and integrity.

Wyoming’s new rule has garnered support from the NCAA, the University of Wyoming, and local wagering operators. The collaborative effort underscores the importance of addressing harassment without restricting betting markets unnecessarily.

The Wyoming Gaming Commission’s decision to penalize athlete harassment is a critical step in promoting integrity and safety within sports betting. By targeting the offenders directly, the WGC ensures that athletes, coaches, and officials can participate in sports without fear of abuse.

This approach strikes a balance between maintaining a robust betting market and addressing ethical concerns. It also sets a strong example for other states, encouraging broader adoption of similar measures across the country.

With support from the NCAA and key stakeholders, Wyoming is taking meaningful action to protect the integrity of both sports and regulated gambling, demonstrating that fairness and accountability remain at the forefront of its policies.