COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine is hoping to change some regulations surrounding sports gambling after it was legalized in Ohio last year.
The governor is joining the NCAA to ask state regulators to make prop bets on college games illegal when it comes to student-athletes. DeWine and the NCAA believe student-athletes could be negatively affected by this form of betting.
What You Need To Know
- Gov. Mike DeWine is supporting the NCAA's letter in hopes to change some rules garnered toward prop betting on college athletes
- The NCAA sent a letter to the Ohio Casino Control Commission to crack down on prop betting on college athletes. The organization is requesting the agency stop allowing wagers on individual athletic performance.
- Last year alone, Ohio made nearly $914 million in total online sports betting revenue from all operators.
“I’ve been sports betting for years,” said Noah Smalls, a former college athlete. “It’s really beneficial because with the way our economy is going, everything’s increasing. A lot of things are costing more money, and it gives me more flexibility to know help with my daily expenses.”
Smalls lives in Columbus and loves sports betting, and he continuously dips into prop betting. Those are the wagers that focus more on individual achievements rather than on the final score.
Smalls said he previously was able to make nearly $2,000 from one of his bets. But, while people like Smalls benefit from those bets, DeWine said is looking out for the people who may be adversely affected. That’s why he supports a letter that the NCAA President Charlie Baker sent to the Ohio Casino Control Commission asking them to make prop bets on college games illegal in Ohio.
The University of Dayton Head Basketball Coach Anthony Grant spoke out against this form of betting last year after noticing the immediate impact that sports betting was having on his players.
“When we have people that make it about themselves and attack kids because of their own agenda, and it sickens me,” Grant said.
Michael Buzzelli, the Associate Director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, said prop bets could cause addiction on one end, and even threats to the players.
“I could go to a college campus and confront someone who might be 18, 19, 20-years-old,” said Buzzelli. “Not even old enough themselves to gamble, but we’re allowing them to be gambled upon.”
Smalls said the pressure comes with the territory of playing college athletics.
“I definitely feel sorry for any of the players that it happens to specifically,” Smalls said. “But, I feel like that’s something that’s just a general pressure of being a sports or collegiate player at a high level.”
The Ohio Casino Control Commission has sent a letter to companies that facilitate sports betting in the state. They have until next Monday to submit their take on the issue before the commission makes a ruling.