Over the last few years, athletic directors have expressed their concerns about sports betting at the college level, as they believe it could affect student-athletes’ performances in the classroom and the game. Institutions may have started to take notice of these types of deals.
Michigan State Faculty Petitions to Cease the Deal With Caesars
The university is being petitioned to end its partnership with Caesars Sportsbook by a group of Michigan State professors. The reason is the professors believe that the deal with Ceasars will create problem gambling among the students.
As of Tuesday, the petition has received 280 signatures. Interim President Teresa Woodruff has already been trying to end the partnership, but the sportsbook is already involved with the athletic department and has prolonged the process.
The University of Colorado had extended a partnership with PointsBet and faced heavy criticism, but the deal was finally halted last week. The company is also partnered with Louisiana State University but has received backlash for sending emails to underage students.
The MSU petition cites the recent mass shooting that took place on campus and reiterates the notion that the school must reconsider the mental health risks that are associated with problem gambling. There is another major school on the list that may take a similar approach to Michigan State.
Maryland Passes a Bill to Limit Partnerships With Bookmakers
In the matter of just a few weeks, sportsbook operators in the nation are facing pressure to break off their deals with universities and leave the market. The bill SB 620 has now been sent to Gov. Wes Moore for his signature after passing the Senate unanimously on Wednesday.
The Old Line State would become the first jurisdiction to push for such a deal if it is successful. Any partnership with a sports betting company would have to disclose full terms and Maryland schools would not be compensated on a commission basis.
The University of Maryland has extended a partnership with PointsBet and has the authority to advertise around the campus with QR codes on the flyers. Toward the end of last year, Maryland joined the online market after just allowing retail sports wagering for the first two years.
Sen. Shelly Hettleman sponsored the deal and states that the University of Maryland is supportive of the initiative. Currently, there is no penalty for noncompliance, but the school emphasizes transparency.
Other States Are Taking Notes About the Situation
Regulators in New York are already working on deals that would prohibit schools from reaching deals with sportsbooks. The Empire State is dealing with another issue that revolves around commercial casinos trying to set up shop in the state.
Las Vegas Sands is betting big on its Nassau County proposal. There are also K-12 schools, Nassau Community College, Hofstra University, and Adelphi University in the area. Because most of the local students are under 21, Hofstra has already geared up to oppose the proposal.
The Say No to the Casino Civic Association has already received major support with the petition. However, some business owners in the area are supporting the proposal because it could potentially lead to more business year-round,
