Betting on college sports is legal under North Carolina’s sports betting law, but we don’t know yet if consumers will be able to make props bets on college sports in North Carolina. That decision will be made by the North Carolina Lottery Commission, under the leadership of Sterl Carpenter.
If other states provide a barometer, it would be unusual if North Carolina regulators allowed player prop bets on college athletics, but prop bets on college teams could be available.
Why regulators restrict prop bets on college sports
Regulators preparing to launch online sports betting in North Carolina have not yet revealed what type of prop bets will be allowed for college sports. Or if they will permit those types of wagers at all. By statute, the state must launch sportsbooks between Jan. 8 and June 14, 2024.
In some states, regulators have prohibited prop bets in college athletics. The most common reason cited is the threat of corruption and scandal among college student-athletes. Some states even restrict the types of props, only allowing certain types of game props.
Some regulators believe that college athletes will feel pressure or perhaps even be tempted toward betting or corrupt behavior if their statistics are the subject of prop bets. In 2020, the NCAA issued a statement stating it worried about what might happen to the “safety and integrity” of their games if player prop bets were allowed.
In 2022, the NCAA again raised concerns and hinted that it might call in the U.S. federal government to pass legislation limiting or prohibiting college player prop bets.
Which states allow college prop bets?
Bettors enjoy prop bets because they allow for exciting betting action on something other than the outcome of the sporting event itself.
There are two types of prop bets: team and player. Team props, also known as “game props” by sportsbooks, might include how many yards (Over/Under) a college football team gets on offense, or how many goals a team scores. Player props can include how many touchdowns, rebounds, or goals a player will accumulate in a game
States that allow college prop team bets:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
*** Tennessee allows college prop team bets under certain restrictions.
Bettors can place college player prop bets in these states:
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
*** Indiana and Iowa allow player prop bets for college sports under narrow conditions.
A few states, notably Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York, do not allow wagering on in-state colleges, though customers can place bets on other colleges from out-of-state.
It’s worth noting that in Michigan, which is among the ten biggest sports betting markets, college prop bets were initially not allowed. But that state reversed course following lobbying from casinos, sports betting operators, and support from legislators in favor of such bets. In the more than two years that Michigan has allowed college prop bets, both team and player props, there have been no betting integrity issues related to the practice.
Should North Carolina allow college prop bets?
More than 30 states now have legal sports betting. As the gaming industry has grown in the U.S. over the last few years, concerns over gambling addiction, or threats to the integrity of sporting events have been at the forefront of regulatory oversight.
Yet, no gambling scandals involving match-fixing have materialized even with college prop bets allowed in many states. In fact, more professional athletes have been disciplined for violating league rules than NCAA athletes.
With all the money being bet on sports in the U.S., there are bound to be some bad apples. But, sports betting operators like DraftKings NC and FanDuel NC lead the way in responsible gaming programs. Many states, including North Carolina, aim to pass fair regulations and protect the consumer, coaches and athletes.
Allowing college prop bets, both team and player, would be a popular betting option for sports fans in North Carolina. At the same time, the state can and should put safeguards in place to ensure the safety of student/athletes and the integrity of college sports, which could mean limiting player prop bets.
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