North Carolina Could Ban College Sports Prop Betting

North Carolina, America's newest legal sports betting jurisdiction, could soon alter its best sports betting sites by removing college prop markets from their offerings.

North Carolina sports betting would be the latest state to agree to a ban of college prop markets at the request of NCAA President Charlie Baker, though a few legislators in the region are pushing back against the move.

It's causing a debate on the merits of college prop betting, and the result will have a massive effect on North Carolina sports betting apps.

Those in favor of the ban

Baker said last month that he believes the best sports betting apps should begin removing player prop bets for college athletes.

"Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity of competition and leading to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed," Baker said. "The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats and many are responding by banning college prop bets."

Rep. Marcia Morey, a former college athlete and Olympic swimmer, is also arguing in favor of banning college player props at the best sportsbooks. She plans to introduce a bill that would work to remove wagers on college players' individual performances for those using North Carolina sportsbook promos.

“We’re forgetting about the individuals who are actually playing the game and having the pressure on them. Let’s give them a break," she said. "Then to know in the back of your mind, 'Oh, well, people are going to watch every stroke, every turn, betting on every move I make,’ it takes away from the thrill of the sport, the enjoyment.”

Morey is only one politician in North Carolina who hopes the state will join Louisiana sports betting apps, Ohio sports betting apps, Maryland sports betting, and Vermont sports betting in already adhering to Baker's requests. Additionally, others such as New Jersey sports betting apps are also considering a ban.

Those against the ban

Unlike many of the jurisdictions that have already banned prop betting on college athletics, North Carolina does feature a vocal opposition.

“If we ended it tomorrow, this kind of behavior would still continue with fanatical people. Follow rules of society, you don’t threaten anybody, or you shouldn’t be," Rep. Jason Saine said. "And, that’s kind of my take on it. I don’t think we need a whole new set of rules to pursue something like that.”

Meanwhile, there are even some plans to ban college sports betting altogether at the sites with the best sportsbook promos.

Sen. Jim Perry said: “It would be more productive introducing legislation banning the NCAA.”

What players are saying ... and doing

Players and coaches are increasingly speaking out about the downfalls of prop betting in sports.

Former North Carolina basketball player Armando Bacot said: “It’s terrible. I looked at my DMs and I got like over a hundred messages from people telling me I suck and stuff like that because I didn’t get enough rebounds, so I mean I think it’s definitely a little out of hand.”

Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he's received threats from bettors and Indiana Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton talked of feeling like a "prop" on the floor.

Additionally, Rudy Golbert said: "I think [betting] is hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”

Meanwhile, Toronto Raptors big man Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban from the NBA “following multiple instances of betting irregularities over the past several months.”