The Missouri Gaming Commission has officially denied a request from the NCAA to prohibit proposition bets on collegiate athletes, stating that the state’s sports betting market is too young to justify such a restrictive move.
The decision ensures that college player props, wagers on individual stats like points or rebounds, will remain legal in Missouri for the time being. The NCAA had urged regulators nationwide to ban these markets, citing harassment of student-athletes and integrity risks following recent match-fixing scandals.
“Too Early” to Change Rules
Missouri’s sports betting market only launched on December 1, gaining 250,000 users on its first day. Commission Chair Jan Zimmerman argued that altering the rules less than two months in would be premature. “I just don’t feel that I have enough information to grant a request by the NCAA to prohibit this type of sports wagering, because I don’t know enough yet,” Zimmerman stated during the hearing.
Operators Push Back
The Sports Betting Alliance, representing giants like DraftKings and FanDuel, opposed the ban. They argued that licensed books are the first line of defense against fraud, helping to uncover the very scandals the NCAA cited. Local bettor Chuck Kucera also testified, warning that a ban would only push players to offshore sites. “The NCAA’s efforts would be better directed toward player education, internal compliance, and enforcement of its own rules,” Kucera said.
While Missouri Gaming Commission currently bans prop bets on in-state teams, it allows them for other college games, maintaining a middle ground as regulators continue to monitor the market.
