- Washington’s Sports Wagering Integrity Act would ban player prop betting for state colleges, while also implementing protective measures against harassment towards athletes.
- SB 6137 explicitly bans Washington sportsbook apps from offering college player props for in-state schools, as well as coaching decisions and officiating decisions.
- The bill also includes criminal punishment for threatening athletes, coaches, and officials, so long as the person has the “ability to carry out the threat.”
SEATTLE – Washington sportsbooks will no longer be able to offer player prop markets for in-state colleges under Senate Bill 6137. Also known as the Sports Wagering Integrity Act, this bill aims to protect student athletes in Washington from harassment stemming from legal sports betting by prohibiting player prop bets and criminalizing threats.
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill on Mar. 3 by a 43-6 vote after reviewing changes. The House saw a closer 70-26 vote on Friday, but the bill now heads to Governor Bob Ferguson’s desk with 20 days to make a decision.
Bets Banned Under SB 6137
SB 6137 bans the following bets at WA sportsbook apps for collegiate events within the state of Washington:
- College player props
- In-game decision made by coach (substitution, challenge)
- Officiating decision (foul call, etc.)
The exact text from SB 6137 states that:
“Sports wagering may not be conducted on: The performance or nonperformance of any specifically named individual participant in any collegiate sport or athletic event who is enrolled in an educational institution located within the state of Washington; An in-game decision made by a coach who is employed by an educational institution located within the state of Washington; or An officiating decision in a collegiate sport or athletic event offered or sponsored by, or played in connection with, an educational institution that is located within the state of Washington.”
Coach, Official, and Player Harassment Constitutes a Misdemeanor
A major takeaway from SB 6137 is criminal punishment for making threats towards players, coaches, and officials during sporting events.
It specifies that “the threat is related to a wager on an act or occurrence in that sporting event…” but also states that “threatening words do not constitute a violation of this subsection if it is apparent to the sports official, coach, or participant that the person does not have the present and future ability to carry out the threat.”
If a person does threaten athletes with the proven capability of carrying out a threat, they are guilty of a misdemeanor and are banned from betting at Washington sportsbooks.
