Ohio Approves NCAA Request, Bans Betting Player Props in College Sports

The Ohio Casino Control Commission on Friday said it would honor an NCAA request and prohibit player-specific prop bets on college sports in the state.

In a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, OCCC Executive Director Matthew Schuler wrote that the commission would approve the NCAA's recent request and ban bettors from wagering on college player props in Ohio. The letter also contained the names of Governor Mike DeWine and commission chair Thomas Stickrath.

"I have carefully considered information submitted by the NCAA and Ohio's licensed sports gaming operators to conclude that good cause supports granting the NCAA's request," Schuler wrote. "Therefore, the prohibition is adopted and included in the Ohio Casino Control Commission's approved catalogue of sporting events and wager types."

Less than a year ago, former Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon provided information to an Ohio bettor, who attempted to place a six-digit bet on an Alabama baseball game. Bohannon was fired from his position, and the NCAA gave him a 15-year show-cause order after investigators had found he provided insider information regarding the availability of one of his top starting pitchers.

“Today’s decision by the Ohio Casino Control Commission to prohibit player-specific prop bets on collegiate competitions marks a significant step in the protection of student-athlete well-being and game integrity,” said Baker. “I thank The Commission for recognizing the serious threats posed by prop bets and implementing controls to help safeguard student-athlete mental health from the risks of sports betting harassment and abuse.”

According to Covers, the figures provided by operators showed they took roughly $104.6 million in college player prop sports betting in Ohio during 2023, or about 1.35% of the state's total handle last year.