Louisiana Banning College Player Prop Bets This August

Nov 18, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Heisman Trophy candidate LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY SportsThe Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued a new order to ban college player prop bets in AugustAny proposition or “prop” bet on an individual college athlete’s performance or statistics will be prohibitedCollege prop bets based on full team statistical results are still permitted

Earlier this week, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board hinted at a new order that would address the recent controversies surrounding college player prop bets.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board officially signed the order into law and revealed that all college player prop bets based on an individual college athlete’s performance or statistics will be prohibited beginning Aug. 1 at 8 a.m.

College proposition bets based on full team statistical results will still be permitted in the state.

Ahead of the NCAA’s Request

Ronnie S. Johns, chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, recently told Sports Betting Dime the board began working on this new order prior to NCAA President Charlie Baker announcing the organization would seek a ban of college player prop bets throughout the country.

Johns explained in a recent notice to the media that this new order will protect the integrity of Louisiana sports betting.

“Our staff began to work on this weeks ago, well ahead of the NCAA’s call for action on college proposition bets. It is the intention of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to protect the integrity of sports betting as well as the safety and integrity of college athletes. We feel that this order accomplishes that goal,” he said.

Baker and the NCAA started their push to ban player props on individual college athletes earlier this year as a way to protect student-athletes from harassment stemming from bettors wagering on collegiate prop bets. Baker said the NCAA hopes to institute a country-wide ban on college player prop bets to “protect student-athletes and to protect the integrity of the game.”

Louisiana, Ohio, Vermont, and Maryland have all taken steps in the last two months to limit the college player prop bets.

Johns noted the NCAA did not officially approach or request the Louisiana Gaming Control Board address the issue of collegiate player props. The board has been working on its new policy for the last several weeks.

The new Louisiana order reads as follows:

“Any proposition or ‘prop’ bet on an individual athlete’s performance or statistics participating in a college sporting event. Only proposition bets based on full team statistical results are permitted.”

All open college player prop bets prior to the Aug. 1, 8 a.m., deadline will be honored, according to the board.

Other States Open to Changes

While no other state has revealed a policy or plan to address the issue, several state regulators say they’re open to discussing potential changes with the NCAA.

New Jersey and Kansas regulators both said the NCAA has yet to officially reach out to ban the props, but said they would be open for a discussion on changing their policies if the NCAA chooses to do so.

Illinois and Iowa officials both noted the NCAA has yet to reach out to ban the bets. Illinois has no restrictions on collegiate player props, but has a law on the books that allow leagues and governing bodies to request the Illinois Gaming Board prohibit a specific type or form of sports betting.

An Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission spokesperson noted the state disallows prop bets on the performance or non-performance of any individual athletes participating in a single game or match of a college sports event involving an Iowa team.

The NCAA would have to reach out to the Iowa legislature to change the rules, the spokesperson noted.

Wyoming Gaming Commission Executive Director Charles E. Moore revealed to Sports Betting Dime that the gaming commission will be considering the NCAA’s request to prohibit collegiate player prop bets during its upcoming May 9, 2024, meeting.

Wyoming has no restrictions on college player prop betting.

Michigan may also be getting on board, as a Michigan Gaming Control Board spokesperson noted it “will be taking a look at this issue” following the NCAA’s interest in seeing the markets banned. Michigan originally prohibited college player props when it legalized sports betting in 2020, but revised its rules in late 2021 to allow betting on the markets.