Missouri's Betting Launch Highlights Rising Scrutiny of Player Prop Wagers

As Missouri launches sports betting today, residents will be able to place wagers on individual player performance. However, they can't place bets on those games that involve athletes at Missouri colleges or universities. The limitation on proposition bets reflects growing national scrutiny of a wager type that has become increasingly common as legal sports betting spreads to its 39th state.

The Missouri sports betting debut comes amid a series of integrity scandals that have drawn attention to the risks associated with player-specific wagers. In recent weeks, two MLB pitchers were charged with accepting bribes in exchange for pitch selections.

In addition, an NBA player was arrested for allegedly providing inside information to bettors. The NCAA also revoked the eligibility of six men's basketball players who face accusations of match-fixing.

Each case centered on prop bets, which rely heavily on individual actions such as strikeouts, points scored, or passing yardage and will be popular choices on Missouri sports betting apps.

According to industry data, these bets are becoming a bigger part of the betting market at the best sports betting sites.  The American Gaming Association reported that operators generated more than $11 billion in the first three quarters of the year, representing a 13% increase over the same period last year. 

The association added that prop bets are becoming increasingly popular among fans, despite a lack of national data on their use. 

 Leagues reinforce restrictions

The rapid growth of prop betting has led major leagues to review their rules, a topic of conversation among Missouri stakeholders as the launch date drew closer. Last month, the NFL strengthened its stance on specific wagering categories, circulating a memo to club officials that reaffirmed the league's opposition to several types of prop bets and clarified concerns about emerging prediction market platforms. 

The communication followed heightened attention on integrity issues after federal indictments involving MLB and NBA players.

The memo detailed ongoing work with lawmakers, regulators, and sportsbook partners to limit or remove wagers viewed as vulnerable to manipulation. These include bets tied to officiating calls, player injuries, fan disruptions, or actions that can be influenced by a single player on a single play. 

The NBA and its sportsbook partners have undertaken similar reviews. According to information reported by ESPN, the league instructed operators to eliminate wagers tied to individual mistakes such as missed free throws, fouls, and turnovers. 

FanDuel and DraftKings stated they have complied, with DraftKings confirming it previously offered in-game free-throw wagers but has since discontinued them.

Leagues are also examining optimal betting limits for player props, which are typically lower than those for regular spreads and totals due to concerns about fairness. The evaluations are happening at the same time as federal investigations into cases where players are said to have used or shared inside information.