Missouri Gaming Commission Considers New Regulations
In response to a recent gambling scandal involving college athletics, the Missouri Gaming Commission is contemplating new regulations that would impose limitations on wagering related to college athletes. This deliberation comes following an official correspondence from the NCAA, which urged state authorities to prohibit prop bets that focus on individual player performances, such as points scored in basketball or passing yards in football.
NCAA’s Initiative Against Game Manipulation
The NCAA’s request is part of its broader initiative to combat potential manipulation of game outcomes, especially after the indictment of over two dozen individuals last week for alleged corruption linked to more than 39 players across 17 NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams. These players were purportedly involved in attempts to manipulate the results of at least 29 games. This alarming incident has raised significant concerns about the integrity of college sports, leading the NCAA to reiterate its call for states to ban specialty bets that might attract betting-related corruption, like wagers on specific point spreads at halftime.
Growth of Sports Betting in the U.S.
Sports betting has been rapidly gaining traction in the United States since the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2018 allowed states to legalize it. By the end of November 2025, legal sportsbooks had already amassed $15 billion in revenue, a 17% increase from the previous year. Missouri, which began allowing sports betting on December 1, became the 39th state to join this burgeoning market after a closely contested constitutional amendment was passed by voters.
Current Regulations and Opposition
Currently, regulations for prop bets on college athletes vary significantly across the country. While over a dozen states impose no restrictions on such bets, others have opted for outright bans. Missouri maintains a middle ground: betting on athletes from the state’s own colleges and universities is prohibited, but wagers are permitted for events involving teams from other states. In 2023, the NCAA had started advocating for states to impose restrictions, leading to bans in states like Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, and Vermont on individual prop bets relating to college players.
However, the sports betting industry has voiced strong opposition to the proposed measures. The Sports Betting Alliance, which counts prominent firms like DraftKings and FanDuel among its members, argued in a statement to the Missouri Gaming Commission that legal sportsbooks play a critical role in identifying improper betting practices. They claimed that restricting prop bets on college athletes could inadvertently push bettors towards illegal and unregulated offshore betting platforms, which pose greater risks regarding consumer protection.
Alternative Suggestions
Furthermore, Kansas City sports bettor Chuck Kucera suggested that resources would be better utilized in educating players about the risks of gambling and enforcing existing NCAA regulations rather than imposing new betting restrictions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and regulated environment for sports betting, highlighting that pushing gamblers toward unregulated alternatives could undermine the very integrity the NCAA seeks to protect.
