NCAA President Baker targeting Kentucky for halt on player prop bets

Updated April 28, 2024
Updated April 28, 2024By Chris Boline
kentucky betting news april 2024

Across the country, the NCAA has been cracking down on player-prop betting markets in various states to mitigate harassment of collegiate athletes. Will Kentucky be the next state to join forces in the NCAA’s call to ban college player props? One article recently said that NCAA President Charlie Baker has his eyes fixated on the Bluegrass State, but there is no certainty at this time in the decision. Baker recently started a campaign to outlaw college player prop bets at the beginning of this year in response to the nationwide harassment that college athletes are experiencing. 

For this article, SBS will explore the latest gaming news coming out of the Bluegrass State along with even more notes and updates regarding the current state of Kentucky betting. 

NCAA has implemented this process in other states

Per other reports, the NCAA addressed a letter to the Kentucky Horse Race Commission on March 29, calling on regulators to ban college player prop betting. This medium is the same means the association reached out to state bodies like the Ohio Casino Control Commission in January, which was proven successful as they implemented the ban following the NCAA’s request. The issues of college player props within Kentucky sports betting is still being reviewed, per a spokesperson for the KHRC. 

“We appreciate your attention to this matter and know you are dedicated to a responsibly regulated marketplace in Kentucky,” Baker wrote on March 29th. “Thank you for the opportunity to request a prohibition on player-specific prop bets and related markets. We welcome the opportunity to explore these preventative measures with you and your team soon.”

Player prop wagers have caused issues for athletes

Per the initial report, the letter from Baker to KHRC also emphasized that recent news reports highlight the hostile environment that Kentucky basketball team members have encountered on social media platforms. Since the relaxation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the NCAA has closely monitored the legalized sports wagering landscape. He also expressed deep concern about the potential dangers this poses to collegiate athletes

“Player prop bets attach an individual student-athletes’s name to a bet and therefore increase the likelihood of betting harassment being targeted towards them,” Bake wrote in the letter. “Recent media reports of harassment and threats directed at members of the Kentucky basketball team highlight the vitriol that is allowed on social media platforms, and the NCAA sees the same vitriol from bettors.”

Athlete prop bet opposition has seen progress

As noted in the same report, so far, the association has made progress by having some states implement the ban, but a few states have also been adamantly opposed to this plight. One such state is Montana, which, however, commended the work of the NCAA. They have said they do not have plans to join the movement because they are not faced with harassment issues. Other than Ohio, as earlier mentioned, states that have implemented or have promised to implement the ban in a given time include Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Maryland. New York recently assured the NCAA that it does not plan to expand its gaming options to include college player props betting

However, Connecticut might be on its way to expanding its betting options to include the availability of bets on college sports teams in the state. Moreover, one report notes that despite pitching state regulators, the NCAA further includes a third-party company to monitor harassment on social media. With this initiative, per one report, the partnered data company is left to identify threats targeted towards athletes and then further ban them from whatever platform that occurrence happened. 

NCAA President Baker has expended on these threats in recent months, as they put unhealthy pressure on college athletes and also take a toll on their mental health. He acknowledges that i’s early in the game and will be a challenge for everyone going forward. Some athletes have even attested to being bullied and harassed, which include superstar players like North Carolina’s Armando Bacot. He has received numerous angry messages on social media reportedly for not hitting player props. Moreover, chances are that he is not the only athlete dealing with these issues. Despite low turnover from states to join the ban against college prop bets, the association has gone further to utilize social media surveillance to help curb the issue at hand. 

Other thoughts & notes relating to Kentucky wagering

After you are all dialed in regarding the latest news and updates coming from the Bluegrass State, make sure to check out the great array of information for you over at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the topic at hand, our Kentucky sports betting guide has you covered with all of the latest updates coming from the state and its gaming landscape. Moreover, for those interested in maximizing their wagers, look no further than the best bonus betting sites rundown. On this page, you can find a catalog of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers along with tips for getting the most out of promotions. Finally, for those on the go, look no further than the best betting apps breakdown which goes over the nuances of mobile betting and how you can always stay on top of the action when you are on the go. 

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About the Author

Chris Boline
Chris Boline

As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education

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