College Prop Bets Face Renewed Scrutiny as Student-Athletes Report Harassment

The Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission continues to lobby for changes to college-level sports betting. It has urged NCAA President Charlie Baker to maintain efforts to curb or prohibit prop bets focused on individual college athletes, citing documented harassment, mental health strain, and integrity risks. 

In a correspondence sent on Tuesday, the commission reported that athletes have faced hostile messages, threats, and direct verbal abuse from bettors after losing wagers. This includes incidents occurring inside arenas and across social media platforms.

A 2025 NCAA survey of more than 20,000 student-athletes found that more than half of Division I men's basketball players experienced online abuse related to their performance. According to the letter, much of that hostility stemmed from gambling-related frustration. The commission argued that player-specific prop markets create a direct channel for bettors to target athletes when wagers fail.

Baker has previously advocated that state regulators block sportsbooks from listing prop bets on individual college players. More than a dozen states have already implemented restrictions, though others still permit such wagers. Some of the best sports betting sites have taken steps to limit a variety of player props in different capacities.

Missouri sports betting regulators recently rejected an NCAA request to remove college player props within that jurisdiction.

The commission also warned that individual property markets risk undermining confidence in game outcomes by subjecting specific statistics to heightened scrutiny. It stated that college athletes, many of whom are in their late teens or early twenties, may be more vulnerable to outside pressure, including potential financial incentives tied to statistical benchmarks. 

While acknowledging the continued expansion of legalized sports wagering and the tax revenue it generates, the commission stated that college prop betting carries distinct dangers compared to professional markets. 

It maintained that restricting or eliminating these wagers would represent a concrete step toward limiting abuse, supporting athlete well-being, and safeguarding competitive integrity.

DraftKings CEO Jason Robins opposes ban

The commission's position contrasts with comments from DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, who describes calls for a ban on prop bets as "crazy." He argues that prohibition would likely push betting activity back into illegal markets rather than eliminate it.

Betting scandals, including one involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, have rocked the sports industry. In another case, NBA player Terry Rozier was indicted for allegedly leaving the game to influence prop bets tied to his performance. Federal and NCAA investigators have also examined potential violations involving about 30 current and former Division I men's basketball players.

Robins characterized such incidents as rare and said they represent a tiny fraction of athletes. He added that enforcement actions demonstrate that oversight mechanisms are functioning. DraftKings has removed certain wagers, including bets on turnovers, and limited pitch-by-pitch baseball betting to reduce the risk of manipulation.

Robins also discussed prediction market apps, which DraftKings entered through its partnership with Crypto.com. The operator launched DraftKings Predictions in 38 states at the end of last December, offering federally regulated sports event contracts in areas where sports betting is not yet legal.