With the NCAA pushing for college player prop bet bans, a state legislator has filed a bill prohibiting them in the North Carolina sports betting market.
On Wednesday, Rep. Marcia Morey (D) filed House Bill 967, which would prohibit proposition wagers on college and amateur sports. Morey told WRAL-TV prior to the session the legislation was in the works.
An industry source told LSR that it is unlikely to pass, as it is a Democratic bill without the support of Rep. Jason Saine (R), a main sponsor of NC sports betting law and a member of the controlling party of the legislature. The North Carolina legislative session runs until July 31.
NC sports betting prop ban proposal
Morey’s legislation amends the online North Carolina sports betting law signed by Gov. Roy Cooper last year. The online market opened March 11.
The bill proposes a complete ban on all college and amateur sports prop bets. In the original legislation, lawmakers prohibited bets on injuries, penalties and replay review outcomes.
If passed and signed by Cooper, the law would be effective July 1.
Tar Heel comments on fan complaints
NCAA President Charlie Baker has called for states to ban college player props.
The campaign comes as players and coaches raise concerns about threats from fans.
One of those athletes this season was UNC basketball player Armando Bacot. He told reporters following an NCAA Tournament win that abuse from fans regarding his performance is “definitely a little out of hand.”
College facility ban
In the NC sports betting legislation passed last year, in-person sportsbooks at professional sports facilities are allowed. Those venues can be used by collegiate teams and the NCAA.
Morey hopes to restrict the use of those in-person sportsbooks during collegiate events.
“No sports facility shall be open to registered players for placing sports wagers during the eight hours before or during any college sports events at the sports facility or adjacent to the sports facility,” the legislation reads.
Why NC sports betting bill not likely to pass
During the initial sports betting discussion, Morey opposed sports betting. She also introduced multiple amendments, like banning promo deductions and limiting sports betting to in-person sportsbooks.
Saine, the primary House sponsor of the sports betting law, does not support the idea of prohibiting prop wagers.
Saine told local media that a ban would not curb the “fanatical” behavior.
States adopting a ban
Multiple states have recently banned college prop bets. North Carolina is among the markets without a ban on the props.
Legislators in Ohio and Maryland recently altered their college prop wager laws.
Last month, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board prohibited the bets.
What would banning prop bets do?
College prop bets account for approximately 1.8% of sports betting revenue, according to analysis from JMP Securities. If all markets banned them, that could cost US sportsbooks up to $200 million annually, according to the analysis.
While Baker and Morey might hope the bans eliminate the wager types, it would just push them to the illegal market, according to legal analyst John Holden.
“We would not eliminate the market,” Holden previously told LSR. “We would just push those bets back into darkness, where we cannot impose the same checks and balances. The solution is to improve the education around league rules, gambling laws and policies, and increase funding for problem gambling resources.”
