Can't Bet College Player Props Any More From Ohio: Player Harassment Cited as Reason

The Ohio Casino Control Commission approved a request to remove college prop bets.  This means no more prop bets on Ohio State Buckeyes and Dayton Flyers players. College player props are among the most popular offerings from sportsbooks.  This represents the first major restriction on sports betting since the activity became legal in January 2023.  Ohioans wagered more than $7.6 billion last year.

An example of a player prop posted this week at BetUS had Daron Holmes scoring Over/Under 19.5 baskets for Dayton.  His recent rebounds total came in at Over/Under 5.5. 

Though concerns over game fixing have been expressed in the past, the NCAA and Gov. Mike DeWine each cited concerns over student-athletes being harassed by sports bettors as the rationale for Friday's decision.

“I have determined that good cause supports the NCAA’s request to prohibit player-specific prop bets on intercollegiate athletics competitions because the NCAA’s request will safeguard the integrity of sports gaming and will be in the best interest of the public,” OCCC Executive Director Matt Schuler said in a statement.

“The data is clear that student-athletes are getting harassed by bettors. Sports betting without appropriate controls poses real risks to the well-being of student-athletes and to the integrity of collegiate competition – risks which are heightened by individual prop bets,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker.

Gov. DeWine supported the effort to remove prop bets as he was sick and tired of threats being issued against student-athletes in Ohio and across the country.

“The Ohio Casino Control Commission took quick action to protect student athletes from unnecessary and potentially harmful threats,” said DeWine. “Amending rules to focus bets on the team and away from individual athlete will improve the marketplace in Ohio and properly focus betting attention on the teams and away from individual student athletes."

Operators have until March 1 to implement the new restrictions and void all impacted wagers for all college teams, not just those from Ohio.

Betting on college game outcomes is still permitted.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com