Vermont Latest State to Take Action Against NCAA Player Props
Vermont Bans College Player Props: No NCAA Award Bets Either
Vermont has become the latest U.S. state to ban betting on NCAA player props. Vermont’s Department of Liquor and Lottery updated its mobile catalog last week to prohibit such props.
“Individual player proposition bets will not be allowed on any NCAA-allowed game offered in Vermont,” the catalog now says. “Proposition bets that cover the entire team will be allowed.”
Vermont already restricted bettors from wagering on in-state colleges. The state also does not offer betting on individual college awards, such as the Heisman or Naismith.
Here is what else we know about Vermont bans college player props.
Joining Action
This follows the lead of states such as Maryland and Ohio, which earlier this year banned NCAA player props to mitigate the risk of harassment against student-athletes and coaches.
West Virginia recently amended its betting laws by introducing a bill banning abusive gamblers.
NCAA president Charlie Baker supported Ohio’s decision, calling it a “significant step in protecting student-athlete well-being and game integrity.”
Dayton men’s basketball coach Anthony Grant was among the first people to bring attention to the issue. During the 2022-23 season, Grant used a postgame press conference to express dismay over hateful, gambling-related messages directed to both him and his players. Without saying so directly, Grant suggested the attacks came from angry bettors.
“There’s some laws that have recently been enacted, that really speak to me — it could change the landscape of what college sports is about,” Grant told reporters. “And when we have people that make it about themselves and attack kids because of their own agenda, it sickens me.”
Assessing the Impact
NCAA player prop betting had been allowed in Vermont until last week when the DLL contacted the NCAA seeking more information on the matter.
What impact will the ban have on the state?
Legal online sports betting began in Vermont on Jan. 11. DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook were the three authorized operators.
The Green Mountain State experienced success out of the gate, collecting approximately $20 million in bets during the first month of action. That translated to roughly $1.1 million in revenue for the state. The average bet was $23.50.
“There is far more revenue earned and far more gaming than I had expected,” Wendy Knight, Vermont’s Liquor and Lottery Commissioner, said via Vermont Public. “We’re also seeing the majority of sports wagering activity that’s taking place in Vermont is from out-of-state players.”
To be precise, 53% of the action came from outside the state. Online sports betting is now legalized throughout New England, so there may be several explanations for why the handle breaks down in that manner. It is relatively common for residents of neighboring states to cross into new betting areas. Some states offer exclusive promotions, which can be a draw for bettors seeking value and a way to boost their bankroll.
Both DraftKings and Fanatics committed to allocating 31% of their Vermont betting revenue to the state for tax purposes, with FanDuel at 33%.
Vermont is one of the smaller states by population and handle, so the prop ban is unlikely to significantly affect the betting market. Residents are still allowed to wager on the outcome of college games, such as the spread, moneyline, and Over/Under totals. That is important to remember for those using their betting odds calculator or parlay odds calculator.
If anything, Vermont bans college player props could push more states to follow suit.
Stay tuned for more updates on Vermont bans college player props.
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