PROTECT Act Seeks to Curb Prop Betting on College Athletes

Amid the ongoing debate over federal legislation to regulate sports betting, another bill has emerged that specifically targets wagers on college athletes. While the SAFE Bet Act, which seeks to broadly limit sports betting, has garnered much of the attention, the newly introduced Providing Responsible Oversight and Transparency and Ensuring Collegiate Trust for Student Athletes Act (PROTECT Act) aims to address a growing concern regarding prop bets on college student athletes.

The PROTECT Act, introduced on February 25, 2025, by first-term Congressman Michael Baumgartner from Washington, focuses solely on the collegiate level. Baumgartner, who also chairs the College Sports Caucus, emphasized that while college sports betting has increased in recent years, this bill does not aim to prohibit betting on games themselves but specifically targets wagers placed on the individual performances of student athletes.

“Sports gambling on college campuses has surged in recent years,” Baumgartner said in a press release. “Student athletes dedicate themselves to their sport and education, and it’s essential that we protect their integrity both on and off the field.” He continued, “This bill doesn’t ban betting on college sports games, but it targets wagers on student athletes’ individual performances. We are witnessing a troubling rise in harassment of college athletes on campuses, as well as an alarming increase in cases of student athletes being coerced into throwing games for financial gain.”

The bill’s primary concern is the growing trend of harassment and coercion directed at college athletes, which Baumgartner argues threatens the integrity of collegiate sports. The PROTECT Act would enforce rules that prohibit betting on individual player performances, thus aiming to reduce these risks. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be tasked with overseeing the enforcement of the bill, treating violations as unfair business practices.

In contrast to the broader SAFE Bet Act, which seeks to ban all prop betting, the PROTECT Act takes a more focused approach, concentrating solely on the college sports landscape. The SAFE Bet Act, sponsored by New York Representative Paul Tonko and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, is a more expansive proposal that aims to restrict prop betting in all sports. Baumgartner's bill narrows its scope to protect student athletes, acknowledging the growing concerns specific to college athletics.
Timing and Context

The introduction of the PROTECT Act comes amid heightened concerns about the intersection of sports gambling and college athletics. As March Madness begins, there is increased public attention on how sports betting affects college sports. In this environment, Robinhood, in collaboration with Kalshi, has launched a standalone exchange for the NCAA tournament, allowing users in all 50 states to engage in prediction markets related to the event.

The timing of the bill aligns with broader conversations about the regulation of sports betting in the U.S., as both state and federal lawmakers grapple with how to balance the growth of the industry with the protection of athletes and the integrity of the games. Baumgartner’s bill represents a more targeted effort to address the unique challenges posed by betting on college athletes, while other measures like the SAFE Bet Act take a wider approach to the issue of prop betting.

Student athletes dedicate themselves to their sport and education, and it’s essential that we protect their integrity both on and off the field.

 

A Focused Approach to Protecting Athletes

The PROTECT Act’s targeted approach aims to shield college athletes from undue pressures and potential exploitation through betting markets. It represents a growing recognition of the risks posed to student athletes in an era where legalized sports betting is rapidly expanding. By addressing the specific issue of prop bets on individual performances, the bill aims to safeguard the well-being of athletes and preserve the integrity of collegiate sports, all while allowing betting on games to continue.

As the sports betting landscape continues to evolve, the introduction of the PROTECT Act signals a shift toward more specialized legislation aimed at addressing the specific needs of college sports. Whether it can gain traction in a divided Congress remains to be seen, but the bill's narrow focus may offer a more workable solution for lawmakers concerned with both protecting athletes and regulating an increasingly popular industry.