A recent report by The Guardian highlighted the "severe abuse" suffered by college athletes in the United States. In the rapidly expanding world of iGaming, the popularity of proposition bets or "prop bets" is rising quickly. These bets are placed on specific events within a game, rather than the outcome of the game itself. At first glance, they seem harmless. However, as author Callum Jones points out, beneath the glamorous facade of sports betting apps lies a growing concern: harassment of college athletes is on the rise.
As gambling regulations evolve across the US, states like Ohio, Maryland, and Vermont have boldly banned prop bets related to specific college athletes. In his article, Jones questions: Is this enough to address the increasing abuse faced by these young players?
The Link Between Betting and Harassment
The increase in legal sports betting has indeed made betting more accessible, but it also brings a dark side. College athletes, some as young as 18, are increasingly becoming targets of harassment by angry gamblers. Clint Hangebrauck, Director of Enterprise Risk Management at the NCAA, describes this issue as "an important and growing phenomenon."
This abuse ranges from toxic comments on social media to unsettling demands for compensation losses sent by peers through Venmo, a service under PayPal used for quick transfers in the US.
The NCAA has been vocal about the impact of this betting culture, especially the dangers associated with bets focused on individual players. These bets make college athletes targets for gamblers who often blame their losses on the players. As Hangebrauck states, "There is no doubt that the root of this abuse is someone being angry about losing a bet."
More Than Just a Local Issue, a National Problem
As Jones reports, the gambling industry is thriving, with sports betting legalized in 38 states in the US. Each time a new state legalizes sports betting, college athletes and their coaches face more abuse. This harassment is not just happening to elite college athletes playing under bright stadium lights; it is prevalent across all college divisions, adding pressure to mental health and fairness in games.
The article quotes Dayton Flyers coach Anthony Grant, who spoke publicly about the concerning issue after his team suffered significant abuse. "We're dealing with young people aged 18, 21, 22," he reminds gamblers, urging them to remember that there are real people behind these bets. "They have families. They shouldn't be treated this way. Mental health is real."
Opposition from Betting Companies
Despite the apparent rise in harassment issues, some major betting companies still oppose banning prop bets on college athletes. Companies like Penn Entertainment, as well as industry giants BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel, believe that such bans might push bettors towards illegal platforms. They worry this could lead to less regulated gambling activities, potentially more dangerous.
In a letter to Ohio regulators, these companies suggested that legal betting offers more protection for athletes. Jones cites a differing opinion from Amanda Blackford of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, who states, "Making it illegal, hopefully, means they won't feel they can attack athletes as openly as they do now." Ohio became the first state to implement such a ban, confident that it will reduce incidents of harassment.
Unintended Consequences or Necessary Change?
The debate continues intensely within the industry. Some betting companies fear that banning bets on student athletes might drive bettors to underground gambling, while advocates for this change believe it is a necessary step to protect young athletes. Joe Maloney of the American Gaming Association acknowledges that there should be zero tolerance for harassment arising from sports betting, but he insists that the transparency of legal betting is key to addressing this issue.
Undoubtedly, there is a tense relationship between the billions of dollars at stake in the gambling industry and the welfare of athletes. Jones quotes John Parsons, interim senior vice president of the NCAA Sport Science Institute, who says, "We can't bury our heads in the sand and pretend this isn't a problem."
The Future of Responsible Gambling
As the latest college football season kicks off, discussions about responsible gambling become more crucial than ever. Several states, including Maryland and Louisiana, have followed Ohio's lead in banning prop bets related to college athletes. However, Massachusetts has proactively excluded these bets in its legalized sports betting framework, citing the age and vulnerability of the athletes.
Betting companies are increasingly investing in "responsible gambling" campaigns, advocating responsible betting and curbing high-risk behaviors. However, The Guardian article points out that critics believe this focus on consumer responsibility cleverly shifts the responsibility away from the industry itself. As iGaming expands, there is no doubt that the industry must take responsibility for protecting vulnerable players.
The Bottom Line
In a world where sports betting, especially iGaming, is growing, industry discussions must prioritize the welfare of college athletes. While prop bets provide an exciting betting experience for bettors, industry discussions cannot overlook the risks to young athletes.
For the iGaming industry, the challenge is simple: find a balance between profit and ethics. As more states explore regulatory changes, the industry needs to adapt, or it will face backlash. After all, the future of gambling is not just about winning or losing—it's also about protecting the athletes who make the games possible.
