New Federal Bill Aims to Ban College Athlete Prop Bets

A new bill is targeting prop bets on college athletes, aiming to safeguard student players and protect the integrity of collegiate sports.

Introduced by Rep. Michael Baumgartner, the “Providing Responsible Oversight and Transparency and Ensuring Collegiate Trust for Student Athletes Act” (PROTECT Act) proposes a federal ban on wagers placed on individual college athletes.

Unlike the broader SAFE Bet Act, which seeks to ban all prop betting, this bill focuses solely on preventing bets related to student-athlete performances.

Congress Introduces PROTECT Act to Ban College Athlete Prop Bets

Key Takeaways from the PROTECT Act

• Bans all individual prop bets on college athletes to prevent harassment and match-fixing risks.
• Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce the law and penalize violations as unfair business practices.
• Focuses strictly on collegiate sports, differentiating it from the broader SAFE Bet Act, which also targets professional sports betting.

Why the PROTECT Act is Being Proposed

The rise of legal sports betting has increased concerns about student-athlete safety, integrity, and fair play.

Key concerns include:

• Harassment of athletes – Players have faced threats and abuse from bettors angry over lost wagers.
• Match-fixing risks – Young athletes are more vulnerable to coercion and financial incentives to influence game outcomes.
• Integrity of college sports – Schools and regulators worry that widespread prop betting could damage the credibility of NCAA competitions.

Baumgartner explained the reasoning behind the bill:

“Student-athletes dedicate themselves to their sport and education, and it’s essential that we protect their integrity both on and off the field.”

Unlike a full ban on college sports betting, this proposal allows wagering on game outcomes but restricts bets on individual performances.

How the Bill Would Be Enforced

If passed, the PROTECT Act would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to regulate and enforce the ban.

Key enforcement measures include:

• Banning sportsbooks from offering college prop bets – This applies to both domestic and offshore operators.
• Penalizing violations as unfair business practices – Operators and platforms that allow prop bets on student-athletes could face legal action.
• Protecting student-athletes from gambling-related harassment – Schools and teams would have additional tools to report and prevent threats.

“This bill will provide strong deterrents against potential misconduct while allowing traditional game-based wagering to continue,” Baumgartner added.

Public Opinion and Industry Response

Recent polls suggest mixed public sentiment on college sports betting:

• 55% of Americans believe that all betting on college sports should be banned.
• 58% support sports betting when limited to professional leagues.

Meanwhile, states and operators are closely watching the evolving legal landscape.

Some key developments include:

• Robinhood and Kalshi launching NCAA tournament betting exchanges – Expanding access to alternative betting markets.
• The Jontay Porter NBA scandal – Ongoing federal investigations into gambling-related corruption at multiple NCAA programs.
• States considering stricter regulations – Several states are introducing measures to limit certain types of bets on college sports.

 The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), a group representing gaming stakeholders, criticized the bill, stating:

“This legislation mischaracterizes legitimate sweepstakes and promotional betting. It could set a dangerous precedent for overregulation.”

What’s Next for College Sports Betting?

With sports betting under increasing federal scrutiny, the PROTECT Act represents a targeted effort to balance regulation with industry growth.

If passed, this bill could:

• Significantly impact sportsbooks offering college prop bets.
• Strengthen protections for student-athletes against gambling-related harassment.
• Set a precedent for further federal oversight of the sports betting industry.

As the debate continues, the future of college sports betting will hinge on balancing integrity, regulation, and consumer demand.