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The Missouri Gaming Commission denied the NCAA’s request on Thursday to ban first-half spreads and prop bets in the Show Me State.
College basketball has come under scrutiny for multiple point-shaving scandals from several players and teams across the country. That triggered NCAA President Charlie Baker to issue a request to state regulators to cut back on player props and first-half offerings.
The state launched Missouri sportsbooks on Dec. 1 with a full array of options for customers, which the MGC plans on keeping intact for college basketball betting.
The MGC’s response
Baker sent a formal request to states last week to ban player props and first-half spreads. That would not only protect players but also the integrity of games, he wrote.
The MGC filed a commission resolution on Thursday, which read:
“BE IT RESOLVED that the Missouri Gaming Commission denies the NCAA’s request in its entirety; and
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that collegiate player prop wagers and fust-half under spread wagers shall continue to be permitted wagers in the state of Missouri; and
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is a final order of the Missouri Gaming Commission.”
NCAA’s position on props
Baker had started bringing attention to player prop bets in 2023 in an effort to protect student-athletes from being harassed online. Since then, first-half spreads have been manipulated, according to federal investigations, expanding Baker’s concerns.
Baker said in his letter to state regulators last week:
“The NCAA national office regularly hears concerns from schools and student-athletes across the country on the impacts of sports betting.
“Those schools and student-athletes cite issues surrounding player prop bets, including instances of harassment, competition integrity and other well-being concerns.”
Baker also addressed first-half spreads in the letter:
“Across collegiate and professional sports, it’s been demonstrated that these markets are being targeted for manipulation, and certain betting operators have opted in to excluding these for certain leagues they have commercial deals with.
“The NCAA does not have such deals with operators. Gaming commissions should perform a comprehensive review of game prop markets and eliminate those that carry the highest risk for manipulation.”
As of now, no state that offers college props and first-half spreads have taken those off the market.
