Washington Moves to Restrict College Athlete Prop Bets

Lawmakers in Washington are considering a decisive step to reshape how sports wagering is conducted within the state. Senate Bill 6137 (SB 6137) would adjust how sportsbooks offer wagers on collegiate athletics while maintaining the state’s strict regulations, which currently permit sports betting exclusively at tribal casinos. The bill also tackles the increasingly contentious sports proposition markets.

The Bill Balances Industry Growth with Athlete Safety

The state legislature recently approved SB 6137, sending the measure to Governor Jay Inslee for final consideration. The bill would allow sportsbooks to offer wagers on college games, including contests involving in-state teams. However, it draws a clear line regarding individual athletes. Wagers on the performance of specific players at Washington colleges would be strictly prohibited.

The state has long prohibited all forms and means of gambling except where carefully and specifically authorized and regulated. The legislature intends to bolster the regulated sports wagering industry.

SB 6137

Supporters of the bill argue that this restriction protects college athletes from external pressures while allowing the regulated market to provide competitive betting services. The proposal would also ban wagers tied to coaching decisions, officiating calls, or other game-management decisions involving Washington schools.

This proposed legislation also introduces various safeguards to strengthen existing integrity measures. It explicitly bans the use of insider information to place bets, attempting to bribe athletes, or trying to influence a game’s outcome through financial incentives. The bill also makes it a criminal offense to threaten or harass players, coaches, or officials in connection with wagers.

Proposition Bets Remain a Contentious Topic

The current debate in Washington aligns with discussions in other states on how to regulate prop betting. Massachusetts officials are examining a bill that would completely prohibit all proposition bets and live betting. They argue that such a measure would reduce gambling-related harm, preserve the integrity of sports, and reduce athlete harassment.

Prop market concerns have intensified after recent integrity investigations in professional sports. Cleveland Guardians athletes Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase were temporarily suspended during an inquiry into suspicious betting activity linked to games played earlier in the season. The investigation reportedly focused on unusual prop betting patterns detected across multiple states.

These high-profile integrity scandals have prompted regulators and lawmakers to reexamine the inherent risks of certain betting markets. For example, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a warning that micro props could make it easier for individuals to manipulate sporting events. Such concerns mean that new measures must carefully preserve market demand without increasing pressure on players.