Major Sports Leagues Request Ban on Harassing Bettors
The NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL, and their players' unions have reached out to state gaming regulators, requesting the establishment of regulations to prohibit bettors who engage in harassment of athletes and staff. This appeal was made on Tuesday in light of increasing incidents of harassment and threats directed at players and their families.
The letter highlights that individuals who lose bets often resort to sending threatening messages through social media and in-person encounters. The rise in sports betting, particularly following the Supreme Court's decision in 2018 to allow broader legalization, has led to more athletes reporting such harassment. Earlier this year, the Big Ten athletes commission urged the NCAA to limit prop bets to mitigate harassment issues.
The leagues and unions are advocating for gaming commissions to enforce lifetime bans on bettors who have been found to harass or threaten violence against athletes and their families. They also propose the creation of a standardized reporting system and the requirement for sportsbooks to actively monitor and ban accounts associated with abusive behavior. This request comes amid ongoing partnerships between teams and sportsbooks.
