Washington Sends College Prop Betting Bill to Governor as Massachusetts Advances Ban Proposal

In Washington, the Legislature has approved a bill that would allow prop bets on college games while still banning individual-athlete college prop bets. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, lawmakers have advanced a bill that would prohibit all prop and live bets as part of a broader effort to address problem gambling.

The contrasting approaches reflect a wider national debate over the risks associated with prop wagers, particularly those involving college athletes.

Washington Prop Bet Bill Moves to the Governor’s Desk

The Washington Legislature has approved Senate Bill 6137, sending the measure to Governor Jay Inslee after both chambers passed the bill with comfortable margins.

The Senate initially passed the bill in early February by a 41-8 vote. The House later approved it 70-26 after adopting amendments, which required the Senate to concur on March 10.

According to its text, the legislation aims to “bolster the regulated sports wagering industry” in the state.

Washington currently allows sports betting only at tribal casinos. The bill maintains that framework but modifies how wagers involving college sports may be offered.

Under the legislation, sportsbooks would be allowed to offer wagers on collegiate sporting events, including on Washington teams. However, several restrictions remain in place. Specifically, the bill prohibits wagers on:

• Athletes’ performance at Washington colleges.
• Coaching decisions, such as substitutions or timeouts.
• Officiating decisions in games involving Washington schools.

The legislation explicitly outlaws placing wagers after obtaining non-public information or attempting to bribe athletes or influence sporting events through monetary or other incentives. The bill also prohibits threatening or harassing sports officials, athletes, or coaches.

The bill’s passage comes amid the NCAA’s calls for a nationwide ban on college prop bets due to integrity concerns and recent point-shaving scandals.

Massachusetts Moves Toward Prop Bet Ban

On the other side of the country, Massachusetts lawmakers are taking a different path.

The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies recently reported Senate Bill 302 favorably and referred the measure to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The bill would prohibit both in-play wagers and proposition bets, meaning sportsbooks would largely be limited to traditional straight bets placed before games begin. Supporters say the legislation aims to address the “economic, health and social harms caused by sports betting.”

The proposal also includes several consumer-protection provisions, including:

• Affordability assessments for bettors wagering more than $1,000 per day or $10,000 per month to ensure those amounts do not exceed 15% of the bettor’s available funds.
• Restrictions on certain sportsbook marketing practices.
• Expanded data collection and reporting on betting behavior to support research into gambling addiction.

The push for stricter rules follows a recent regulatory change adopted by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission that requires sportsbooks to inform bettors within 48 hours if they are being limited, explain the reason for the decision, and identify the affected betting markets.

The rule does not prevent operators from limiting successful bettors, but it increases transparency around the practice.

Together, the regulatory change and the pending legislation reflect a broader push in the state toward tightening oversight of sportsbook practices and betting formats.

Washington Breaks From Growing Prop Bet Restriction Trend

Notably, Washington is moving against a national trend, while Massachusetts aligns with a growing number of states that have proposed restrictions on prop bets, particularly those involving college athletes.

In Utah, one of the most restrictive gambling states, the Legislature passed HB 243, which explicitly clarifies that prop bets fall under the definition of illegal gambling under state law.

In New York, lawmakers introduced a similar bill to the one in Massachusetts, targeting player prop bets and live bets. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, active proposals include limits on college prop bets, micro bets, and play-by-play wagers.

Other states considering similar legislation include:

• Colorado
• Kentucky
• Louisiana, where lawmakers have introduced bills that could expand existing college prop bet restrictions
• Minnesota

In Indiana, lawmakers introduced a similar measure this session, though the bill failed to advance past the committee stage.

Several states have already enacted bans on college athlete prop bets: Vermont, Ohio, Maryland, and Louisiana.

Against that backdrop, Washington’s legislation stands out as one of the few measures expanding betting options tied to college games, even while maintaining limits on wagers involving individual athletes.