PROTECT Student Athletes Act Bans Bets on Individual College Athlete Performance, FTC to Enforce

The PROTECT Student Athletes Act is pretty straightforward: it aims to ban betting on the individual performance of college athletes in games—what are known as "prop bets." Think of it like this: no more wagers on whether a specific point guard will make over or under a certain number of assists, or if a quarterback will rush for a certain number of yards. The bill, as stated in SEC. 3, makes it illegal for anyone in the betting business to accept these kinds of wagers on student-athlete actions during college sports events.

Game Plan: How the Ban Works

This legislation, detailed in SEC. 3, specifically targets bets that focus on individual student-athlete actions during a game, whether or not those actions directly decide the final score. This means you could still bet on the outcome of a game – who wins or loses – but not on the specific stats of a single player. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gets the power to enforce this, treating it like any other violation under the Federal Trade Commission Act. This gives the FTC broad authority to investigate and penalize those who don't comply.

Who's Affected, and How?

This bill primarily impacts student-athletes and the betting industry. For student-athletes, the idea is to reduce pressure and potential harassment from bettors, and to lessen the chances of anyone trying to influence their performance for gambling purposes. For example, a basketball player might feel less external pressure if their every free throw isn't tied to someone's bet. For the betting industry, it means adjusting what kinds of bets they can offer. The definition of "student athlete," according to the bill, includes anyone participating in a college-level sporting event where a national association, like the NCAA, sets the eligibility rules.

Bigger Picture

This bill highlights a growing concern about the impact of sports betting on college sports and the welfare of student-athletes. SEC. 2 of the bill makes it clear that Congress believes sports betting—especially on individual athlete performance—affects interstate commerce, justifying federal involvement. It points out that betting happens across state lines, impacting the national economy through advertising, broadcasting, and more. By stepping in, the federal government is asserting its role in regulating this aspect of sports betting to maintain consistent standards and protect athletes. One potential challenge? Enforcement. It might be tough to track every bet, especially with online platforms, some of which may operate outside US jurisdiction.