PROTECT Student Athletes Act
The PROTECT Student Athletes Act would make it illegal for any person or business that bets on sports to accept bets on “covered prop bets” involving the performance of college athletes in intercollegiate events. A covered prop bet is a wager on whether a student athlete will achieve a specific action or milestone during a college sporting event, regardless of whether that action necessarily affects the event’s final outcome. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce the ban, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under its governing statute, and applying the FTC Act’s penalties, enforcement tools, and processes. The bill relies on federal authority to regulate interstate sports betting, arguing that such bets implicate interstate commerce and national interests in student-athlete welfare and the integrity of college sports.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition: No betting business may accept bets on covered prop bets tied to student-athlete performance in intercollegiate events.
- 2Enforcement: Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive practices under the FTC Act; the FTC would enforce the ban using its existing powers and penalties.
- 3Definitions:
- 4- Covered prop bet: A wager on the occurrence or non-occurrence of an action or achievement by a student athlete that may not affect the event’s final result.
- 5- Intercollegiate sporting event: A college-level event where eligibility is determined by a national college athletics body.
- 6- Student athlete: An individual who participates in any intercollegiate sporting event.
- 7Rationale: The bill cites interstate commerce and national interest in protecting student athletes and maintaining the integrity and educational environment of college sports.
- 8Short title: The act is called the Providing Responsible Oversight and Transparency and Ensuring Collegiate Trust for Student Athletes Act (PROTECT Student Athletes Act).