College athletes face death threats as sports betting spirals out of control, NCAA President warns Congress.
At a Glance
- NCAA and NFL representatives call for legislative action to protect athletes from sports betting harassment
- 39 states have legalized sports wagering since 2018, leading to increased pressure on athletes
- Prop bets on college athletes are allowed in 19 states, causing severe harassment and threats
- Advocates push for bans on specific types of bets and comprehensive athlete protection measures
The Alarming Rise of Sports Betting and Its Consequences
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary recently held its first congressional hearing on sports betting, shedding light on the industry’s explosive growth since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA. What was once confined to Nevada has now spread to 39 states, creating a landscape ripe for exploitation and abuse. The hearing exposed the dark underbelly of this expansion, revealing how the accessibility of online sports betting is exacerbating problem gambling and putting athletes at risk.
NCAA President Charlie Baker didn’t mince words when addressing the committee. He painted a grim picture of student-athletes facing an onslaught of harassment, coercion, and even death threats from overzealous bettors. The situation has become so dire that Baker is urging Congress to take immediate action to restrict prop bets on college athletes, which are currently allowed in 19 states.
With sports betting on the rise, the NCAA is acting to protect student-athletes from harassment and working to protect the integrity of the game – this week shows why it’s so important to act. pic.twitter.com/krATwpS4hZ
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) March 27, 2024
The Human Cost of Unchecked Gambling
Former NFL player Johnson Bademosi provided a sobering perspective on the issue, highlighting how sports betting has fundamentally altered fan engagement. Athletes are no longer seen as human beings but as commodities to be bet on, leading to their dehumanization and increased vulnerability to gambling addiction, especially among young people.
“Players have always had pressure to perform well for professional achievements and to win games, but sports betting has added a new and complex layer to this issue,” Bademosi stated. “Now, players are targeted by gamblers who pressure them to perform, not for the benefit of the team, but because the gambler is financially invested in a specific performance element of individual athletes. This has an overall negative effect on a player’s physical security and mental state of mind and has the likelihood to distract a player during the time where focus is needed on the field to avoid injury and to perform at the highest levels.”
The Need for Federal Intervention
The lack of federal regulations has left a patchwork of state rules, creating loopholes that unscrupulous bettors and operators can exploit. Sen. Thom Tillis emphasized the urgent need for federal oversight to prevent exploitation and preserve the integrity of sports. The proposed SAFE Bet Act aims to address these concerns by banning sportsbook ads during live events and prohibiting prop bets on student athletes.
“It’s critical that Congress looks into sports betting’s impact on America and determine how the industry should be regulated moving forward,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. He added, “A person with a gambling problem can chase the action at the click of a button and rack up ever-increasing losses—whether on an NFL game or professional table tennis.”
The hearing highlighted the dangers of unchecked sports betting. While the industry touts its economic benefits, the human cost is becoming increasingly apparent. The NCAA’s study revealing significant online abuse related to sports betting, particularly in basketball and football, underscores the urgency of the situation.