BILL NUMBER: S7482A
SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in
relation to designating an individual who has harassed athletes, coach-
es, officials, or participants of a sports event as a prohibited sports
bettor
 
PURPOSE:
Relates to designating an individual who has harassed athletes, coaches,
officials or participants of a sports event as a prohibited sports
bettor.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Adds a new subparagraph (xi) to paragraph (r) of subdivision
1 of section 1367 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law
to read that any individual found to have harassed or shown a harmful
pattern of conduct directed at amateur or professional athletes, coach-
es, officials, or participants of a sports event, including, but not
limited to, verbal, written or electronic threats, lewd or obscene
statements or images, vandalism or nonconsensual physical contact such
individual knew or should have known would cause a reasonable person to
suffer substantial emotional distress, substantial fear for their safety
or the safety of another person, or substantial fear for the destruction
of their property.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent years, the popularity of sports betting in the United. States
has surged dramatically, driven in part by the legalization of sports
wagering in numerous states. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in
the NCAA's March Madness tournaments, where an estimated $3 billion was
wagered surpassing even the Super Bowl in betting volume, according to
the American Gaming Association. However, this explosive growth has
brought with it troubling consequences, particularly for college
athletes who have found themselves increasingly targeted by online abuse
from disgruntled bettors.
The NCAA has raised serious concerns about the toll sports betting is
taking on student athletes, coaches, and officials. A recent release by
the organization revealed that one in three high-profile athletes
receives abusive messages from individuals with a betting interest.
These messages range from death threats to instances of racism, homopho-
bia, and sexual abuse. During March Madness alone, the NCAA and its
partners uncovered more than 4,000 abusive comments or posts aimed at
participants. Among them were 540 messages directed at men's and women's
basketball players that specifically referenced gambling.
Such online harassment is not just a matter of poor sportsmanship, it
poses a real threat to the mental health and well-being of student-ath-
letes. NCAA President Charlie Baker and the Division I Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee have highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive
approach to this issue, noting that "the sports betting landscape in
America is rapidly evolving and requires careful consideration of all
involved takeholders." A study referenced by the NCAA introduced the
term "angry sports bettors" to describe individuals who lash out with
abusive and intrusive messages when game outcomes don't align with their
bets. According to Signify, the data analytics firm that collaborated
with the NCAA, women athletes received nearly 59% more abusive messages
than their male counterparts. The peak of this abuse occurred during
March Madness, with over 70% of all threatening messages referencing
betting or match-fixing accusations. These patterns reveal a disturbing
link between betting interest and digital aggression. To combat this
growing problem, this bill would ban individuals from wagering who
threaten or harass amateur or professional athletes.
Industry voices are also calling for change. Joe Maloney, Senior Vice
President of Strategic Communications at the American Gaming Associ-
ation, emphasized the importance of the legal betting market in foster-
ing transparency and enabling conversations about reducing abuse. "Indi-
viduals who harass athletes, amateur or professional, over a sports bet
should not be tolerated," Maloney said. "We look forward to continuing
our dialogue with the NCAA, professional leagues, and other stakeholders
on the universal shared goal of reducing athlete harassment."
The October 2024 NCAA study underscored the pervasiveness of online
abuse during major collegiate sporting events, documenting a troubling
pattern in sports such as football, basketball, women's volleyball,
gymnastics, softball, and baseball. As the NCAA and other organizations
continue to grapple with the consequences of widespread sports betting,
the need for stronger protections and preventive measures has become
undeniable.
In conclusion, while sports betting has become a lucrative and popular
pastime, its darker consequences cannot be ignored. The mental health of
student-athletes, their safety, and their dignity must be preserved. It
is critical that the NCAA, lawmakers, betting operators, and fans alike
work together to ensure that the excitement of sports does not come at
the cost of human decency.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.