Bill seeks to prohibit proposition bets on college sports in North Carolina

North Carolina State Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Ban Prop Bets on College Sports

In a move that could have significant implications for the sports betting industry in North Carolina, Durham Democratic Rep. Marcia Morey has filed a bill to ban prop bets on college sports in the state. The bill, known as House Bill 967, comes in response to calls from NCAA President Charlie Baker and similar bans in other states.

Rep. Morey, a former U.S. Olympic swimmer and NCAA enforcement staffer, has been a vocal opponent of the legalization of mobile sports betting in the state. Since its launch in March, bettors in North Carolina have wagered nearly $660 million in the first few weeks.

The proposed bill would specifically ban bets on individual statistics, such as points, assists, rebounds, or total yards, for college and amateur sports. It would also prohibit in-person sports wagers at sports facilities for eight hours before or during any college sports event, potentially impacting venues like PNC Arena.

Despite the push for a ban on prop bets, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have stated that they do not plan to support such a measure. However, NCAA President Charlie Baker has emphasized the need to address the threats posed by prop bets to the integrity of competition and the well-being of student-athletes.

As the debate over the proposed bill continues, lawmakers in North Carolina may consider additional changes to the sports betting law during the current session. Gov. Roy Cooper has called for adjustments to the tax code to allow bettors to deduct losses from gambling winnings, while discussions about reducing licensing fees for operators interested in offering bets on horse racing are also on the table.