North Carolina Eyes Prop Bets Ban on College and Olympic Sports

A Push to Curb Betting Fallout

House Bill 828, filed by Democrats Pricey Harrison and Marcia Morey alongside Republicans Neal Jackson and Mitchell Setzer, wants to outlaw these side wagers, like betting on a player’s points or a touchdown scorer, in a state that’s seen $7.2 billion in sports bets since legalizing them on March 11, 2024. It’s a big move, and it’s got folks talking about the fallout from that gambling green light.

The bill’s got two main punches. First, it bans prop bets on college and Olympic events outright, no more wagering on individual feats over game outcomes.

Second, it blocks betting inside sports venues during college games, covering the eight hours before tip-off and through the final whistle.

Right now, North Carolina’s got no brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, but one’s in the works at Raleigh’s Lenovo Center, home to NC State hoops, near the Carter-Finley football stadium. If HB 828 sticks, that spot’s betting action could take a hit.

Why the Crackdown?

This isn’t out of nowhere. Since sports betting kicked off, the state’s hauled in $135 million in taxes from eight operators by March 2025, a solid haul. But the shine’s wearing off.

Players like UNC basketball star Armando Bacot have faced ugly social media heat from bettors sore over losses. The NCAA’s had enough, airing ads during March Madness urging fans to back off, “Only a loser would harass student-athletes over a lost bet,” one spot jabbed. Their stats show one in three college athletes has caught flak tied to wagers.

NCAA boss Charlie Baker’s on board too, pushing states to ditch college prop bets. He’s flagged harassment of players and refs as a growing mess, with the NCAA now tracking tourney threats and looping in law enforcement when it gets dicey.

HB 828’s sponsors, especially Morey, an ex-Olympic swimmer and NCAA official, echo that worry. Harrison’s long fretted over gambling addiction, once likening it to an opioid crisis during 2023 legalization debates. Now, they’re out to trim the risks.

There’s precedent too. Morey pitched a similar ban last year that flopped, and federally, Rep. Michael Baumgartner’s HR 1552 – the PROTECT for Student Athletes Act, mirrors HB 828’s vibe. Other states are watching; Ohio and Maryland already axed college prop bets after player blowback. North Carolina’s $7.2 billion betting handle shows the stakes, big cash, but big headaches too.