NCAA Asks Indiana Gaming Commission to Ban College Prop Bets
On June 25, the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) will hold a meeting to discuss the NCAA's request to ban college prop bets in the Hoosier State.
Furthering the campaign to ban college prop bets
At the beginning of the year, the NCAA began a campaign to ban prop bets on college sports. It has urged state betting regulators to prohibit college player prop bets, which focus on individual player performance.
The NCAA has stated that player prop bets are more vulnerable to integrity risks. It also said that banning prop bets would help reduce harassment of players by bettors seeking to profit from their stat lines.
Baker has been at the forefront
NCAA president Charlie Baker has been at the forefront of the fight to ban player prop bets for collegiate sporting events.
In January, Baker penned a letter citing integrity risks following a major point-shaving scandal involving 17 universities and 39 college athletes. The letter pinpointed the dangers that can come with player prop bets, such as bettors harassing athletes, using inside information, and engaging in spot-fixing.
Baker argued that player props are more vulnerable to manipulation, as the player can influence the performance tied to the bet without affecting the overall game.
The NCAA recently ruled an ex-player from Iona University ineligible for an alleged point-shaving incident.
Unlike other states
The IGC differs from sports betting regulators in other states.
In Indiana, the sports betting statute already authorizes prohibitions on specific types of bets. In other states, new regulations would need to be implemented in order to ban specific types of wagers.
Under Indiana law, a governing gaming body may ask the IGC to prohibit a specific type of wager. Then the IGC, “shall grant the request upon a demonstration of good cause from the sports governing body.”
State views have differed
The recent request by the NCAA was not the first in the player prop bet issue. It received a similar request in 2023, and as a result, there are bans on college prop bets in Ohio, Vermont, Louisiana, and Maryland.
The NCAA also sent a similar request to the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) in January. However, that request was denied because the MGC stated it needed more information about the issue, as legal sports wagering had launched in the state less than a month before the NCAA’s request.
Unurprisingly, two proposals to ban prop bets failed in Colorado and Louisiana in 2025. Lawmakers from both states argued the ban could significantly reduce tax revenue. Louisiana lawmakers said the state could lose out on $20 million annually if prop bets are banned.
