A Guardian report recently highlighted “significant abuse” of college athletes in the US. In the rapidly expanding world of iGaming, proposition bets, or “prop bets,” have surged in popularity. These side wagers involve placing bets on specific occurrences within a game rather than on its outcome. At first glance, they seem harmless. But as author Callum Jones suggests, behind the glitz of sports betting apps lies a growing concern: the mounting harassment of college athletes.

As gambling regulations evolve across the US, states like Ohio, Maryland, and Vermont are making bold moves by banning proposition bets linked to specific student athletes. In his article Jones asks: is this enough to tackle the rising abuse these young players face?

The nexus of betting and harassment

Increased access to legal sports betting has brought undeniable convenience to gamblers, but with this ease comes a dark side. College athletes, often as young as 18, are becoming frequent targets of harassment from angry bettors. Clint Hangebrauck, Managing Director of Enterprise Risk Management at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), describes this issue as “a significant and growing phenomenon.”

The abuse ranges from toxic social media comments to disturbing Venmo requests from peers, demanding repayment for lost wagers. Venmo, a PayPal-owned service, is popular in the US for quick money transfers.

The NCAA has been vocal about the effects of this betting culture, especially the dangers tied to prop bets that focus on individual players. These wagers put a metaphorical target on the backs of student athletes, increasing their exposure to frustrated gamblers who often take losses personally. In the words of Hangebrauck, “There’s no doubt the nexus of how this abuse is generated is somebody angry because they lost a bet.”

A national problem, not just a local one

As Jones reports, the gambling industry is booming, and sports betting has become legal in 38 states across the US. Each time a new state legalises sports betting, student athletes and their coaches face an uptick in abusive behaviour. It’s not just the elite college athletes playing under the bright stadium lights; this harassment is happening across all collegiate divisions, putting a strain on both mental health and game integrity.

The article quotes Anthony Grant, coach of the Dayton Flyers, who made headlines when he addressed this troubling issue after his team faced a torrent of abuse. “We’re dealing with 18, 21, 22-year-olds,” he reminded bettors, urging them to remember the real people behind the bets. “They have families. They don’t deserve that. Mental health is real.”

Gambling firms push back

Despite the clear rise in harassment, some of the largest players in the gambling industry are pushing back against the idea of banning prop bets on student athletes. Companies like Penn Entertainment and industry leaders BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel have argued a ban might drive gambling towards illegal platforms. They fear this would mean less regulation of gambling activities, which could be potentially more dangerous.

In a letter to Ohio regulators, these firms suggested that legal betting provides more protection for athletes. Jones quotes Amanda Blackford of Ohio’s Casino Control Commission disagrees, who states “having it as an illegal activity hopefully means they don’t feel like they can openly come after athletes in the way that they have.” Ohio became the first state to implement such a ban, confident the move would reduce incidents of harassment.

Unintended consequences or a necessary shift?

The debate continues to rage within the industry. While some betting firms fear that banning prop bets on students will drive gamblers underground, advocates for the change believe it’s a necessary step in protecting young athletes. Joe Maloney of the American Gaming Association acknowledges there should be zero toleration of harassment over sports bets, but insists that the transparency of legal wagering is key to addressing the issue.

There’s an undeniable tension between the interests of the billion-dollar betting industry and the welfare of the athletes often caught in its crossfire. Jones quotes John Parsons, interim senior vice-president of the NCAA’s Sport Science Institute, who said, “We can’t put our head in the sand and say it’s not an issue.”

The future of responsible gaming

With the latest college football season now underway, the conversation around responsible gaming has become more critical than ever. Several states have followed Ohio’s lead, including Maryland and Louisiana, in banning prop bets tied to student athletes. Massachusetts, however, proactively excluded these bets from its legalised sports betting structure from the outset, citing the age and vulnerability of the athletes involved.

Betting operators are increasingly investing in “responsible gaming” campaigns, promoting responsible wagering and discouraging risky behaviour. The Guardian article says critics argue that this focus on consumer responsibility conveniently shifts the burden away from the industry itself. As iGaming expands, there’s no denying that the sector must share in the responsibility for protecting vulnerable players.

The bottom line

In a world of growing sports betting, especially in iGaming, industry discussions must prioritise the welfare of college athletes. While prop bets offer an exciting edge for bettors, industry discussions must not overlook the risks they present to young athletes.

For the iGaming sector, the challenge is simple: balancing profitability with ethics. As more states explore regulatory changes, the industry will need to adapt or risk facing a backlash. After all, gambling’s future is about more than just winning and losing—it’s about safeguarding the players who make the games possible.

Jones Guardian article effectively points out that hidden within these challenges lies a question every reader should consider: where does responsibility truly lie in this complex relationship between sports and gambling? The answer might just shape the future of iGaming. You can read the full article here.

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