A new bill aimed at banning proposition bets on individual college athletes has been introduced in Congress, as lawmakers seek to address concerns over gambling-related harassment and integrity risks in collegiate sports.
The Providing Responsible Oversight and Transparency and Ensuring Collegiate Trust for Student Athletes Act (PROTECT Act) was introduced on Feb. 25 by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), who chairs the College Sports Caucus. The bill, which does not prohibit betting on the outcomes of college games, targets wagers on individual player performances.
“Sports gambling on college campuses has surged in recent years,” Baumgartner said. “Student-athletes dedicate themselves to their sport and education, and it’s essential that we protect their integrity both on and off the field.”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be tasked with enforcing the proposed ban, treating violations as unfair business practices.
The introduction of the PROTECT Act comes as concerns mount over gambling-related scandals in both college and professional sports. Authorities have reported an increase in gambling-related harassment and integrity risks.
“We are witnessing a troubling rise in harassment of college athletes on campuses, as well as an alarming increase in cases of student-athletes being coerced into throwing games for financial gain,” Baumgartner said.
The debate over college sports betting has intensified amid growing scrutiny of player prop bets. In the Jontay Porter NBA scandal, which is currently under federal investigation, at least four NCAA men’s basketball teams have been implicated in alleged betting-related misconduct.
Baumgartner’s bill follows the recent reintroduction of the SAFE Bet Act, backed by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), which seeks to ban all proposition betting—including both college and professional sports. The PROTECT Act, by contrast, takes a narrower approach by focusing solely on collegiate athletics.
According to a recent AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, 55% of Americans oppose all college sports betting, while 58% support wagering on professional sports.
March Madness, one of the most heavily bet-on sporting events in the U.S., is expected to draw $3.1 billion in wagers for the 2025 tournament, according to industry estimates.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/21/98927-us-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-ban-college-prop-bets-citing-rising-integrity-concerns
