Since assuming the role of president of the NCAA earlier this year, former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has expressed deep concerns about the impact of legal gambling on college athletes and the integrity of amateur sports. In particular, he has highlighted the disturbing implications of proposition bets, a form of wagering that poses unique risks to college sports.
In a recent interview with usmoneymatters.com, Baker voiced his apprehension about the proliferation of proposition bets, which allow gamblers to place wagers on individual plays linked to specific players. He emphasized the need to address this issue due to its potential to undermine the integrity of college athletics.
Baker’s concerns stem from the escalating influence of legal sports betting, with an astonishing $93 billion wagered on sports in 2022 alone. The staggering $15 billion bet on the NCAA March Madness this year further underscores the urgency to safeguard the well-being of student-athletes amidst this evolving landscape.
As a former Harvard University basketball team member, Baker is particularly troubled by the psychological pressure faced by college students who witness their peers risking substantial sums of money on their performance. Prop bets, in his view, magnify this concern as they are detached from the overall game outcome, making it easier for unscrupulous bets to go undetected.
Moreover, Baker highlighted the potential vulnerability of student-athletes to unwittingly divulge insider information, thereby exposing them to exploitation. He painted a vivid scenario of how peers could coerce a player into compromising their performance for personal gain.
Expressing his vision for greater collaboration between states and the NCAA, Baker emphasized the need for legislation prohibiting prop bets on collegiate sporting events and student-athletes. He also revealed ongoing discussions with gaming firms to advocate for the establishment of a “prohibited bettors list,” aimed at curtailing harassment of coaches or players with a history of such misconduct.
In light of the mounting pressures and financial stakes in college sports, Baker underscored the inevitability of potential scandals, emphasizing the imperative for proactive education and vigilance. His unwavering commitment remains centered on empowering student-athletes and institutions to navigate these challenges and ensuring the timely exposure of illicit activities.
