Kentucky Considers Ban on College Athlete Prop Bets to Protect Student-Athletes

Kentucky Proposes Ban on College Athlete Prop Bets

A new bill in Kentucky aims to tighten sports betting regulations by banning proposition bets on college athletics. The NCAA has supported a nationwide prohibition on these types of wagers due to concerns that they increase harassment and pressure on student athletes.

Understanding House Bill 904 and Its Impact

Introduced on March 4, Kentucky’s House Bill 904 targets prop bets associated with college sports. These bets focus on individual player performances rather than the overall game result. Such betting has been linked to players facing harassment when bettors lose money and express their frustration online, sometimes escalating to personal attacks against athletes.

Younger college athletes, in particular, have reportedly received threats and offensive messages from disgruntled bettors. In response, the NCAA has long advocated for banning prop bets on college players—a stance already adopted by several states.

Additional Measures Included in HB 904

Beyond banning prop bets on college athletes, HB 904 introduces broader gaming reforms. Notably, it proposes increasing the legal betting age from 18 to 21, bringing Kentucky in line with most other states. Currently, Kentucky allows individuals aged 18 and older to wager legally.

The bill also calls for enhanced identity verification and mandatory geolocation systems designed to prevent fraud and ensure bettors are physically located within Kentucky. Strengthened penalties are proposed for unlicensed operators and entities permitting illegal gambling activities on their premises.

Furthermore, HB 904 seeks to redefine racetrack extensions more strictly and grants local governments the ability to apply for racetrack extension licenses.