The Missouri Gaming Commission has voted unanimously to reject a request from the NCAA that sought to prohibit proposition bets involving individual college athletes. The decision followed a brief review period triggered by a formal letter sent to the commission shortly after Missouri’s sports betting market went live.
The request came from NCAA President Charlie Baker, who urged the commission to amend recently adopted sports wagering rules approved by voters through Missouri Amendment 2 in 2024. Proposition bets, commonly known as prop bets, differ from standard wagers by focusing on specific player performances rather than overall game results.
Fast-Track Review Leads To Unanimous Vote
Because the NCAA qualifies as a governing body, its request triggered a mandatory vote by the three-member commission within seven days. After receiving the letter, regulators opened a brief public and industry comment period before calling a special meeting to address the proposal.
“After we received the letter, we immediately sent out a notice for public comment and or industry comment, which we received both,” said Missouri Gaming Commission Executive Director Mike Leara.
The NCAA sought to ban wagers such as a basketball player’s rebound total or a football player’s receiving yards. However, no testimony supporting the ban was submitted by the NCAA or other parties. Written objections came from sportsbook operators and one Missouri resident.
Decision Driven By Timing And Limited Data
Commissioners voted 3-0 to reject the proposal, confirming that collegiate player prop wagers and first-half under spread bets on college basketball games remain permitted.
“Be it resolved that the Missouri Gaming Commission denies the NCAA’s request in its entirety,” the commission stated, adding that such wagers would continue statewide.
Regulators stressed that the vote reflected concerns about process rather than a final stance. Missouri’s sports betting market launched on Dec. 1, leaving little data available to evaluate the issue.
“I just don’t feel that I have enough information to grant a request by the NCAA to prohibit this type of sports wagering, because I don’t know enough yet,” said commission chair Jan Zimmerman.
She later added, “We will continue to look at this issue,” explaining that staff would collect more information for possible future consideration.
Integrity Safeguards And National Backdrop
Leara noted that Missouri law already requires sportsbooks to use integrity monitoring systems to detect irregular betting patterns and warned against selective enforcement.
“There have always been, in sports betting, people throwing games,” he said.
Nationally, Baker has pushed for bans on college player prop bets since early 2024. Several states have adopted restrictions, while others prohibit such wagers entirely or limit them to out-of-state athletes. Missouri currently allows betting on college teams but bars player props involving Missouri-based schools.
The NCAA’s request followed federal charges against more than two dozen individuals tied to a college basketball point-shaving scheme. Missouri regulators acknowledged the broader concerns but indicated they need more time and evidence before changing existing rules.
Source:
“Missouri Gaming Commission rejects NCAA prop bet ban”, fox2now.com, January 22, 2026
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