On September 15, the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS, along with their respective players’ associations, wrote to gaming regulators in 35 states and D.C. asking them to permanently ban bettors who threaten or harass athletes, coaches, officials, or their families. The leagues made three requests. First, state regulators should mandate sportsbooks and mobile betting platforms to permanently ban anyone verified to have threatened or harassed players or those connected to the game. Second, the leagues urged a streamlined reporting mechanism to send evidence of threats to state regulators and law enforcement, suggesting that exclusion in one state be reciprocated in other states. Finally, as a condition to keeping their state operating licenses, sportsbooks must proactively flag or ban abusive accounts. The letter highlights four states, Ohio, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Wyoming, that have already taken some measures to ban this type of conduct, and calls on the remaining jurisdictions to adopt uniform rules.[1] The Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, ruling that the Act barred states from legalizing sports betting and violated the Constitution’s anti-commandeering principle. Since then, sports betting regulation has been left to the individual states.[2]
Ohio
In 2023, Ohio legislators added a sports betting provision to the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. The provision allows state regulators to permanently ban or exclude bettors who are found to be harassing or threatening college athletes over a sporting event. This legislation was prompted by violent threats against the University of Dayton men’s basketball team, after losing 63-62 to Virginia Commonwealth.[3] Although this provision applies to college athletes only, it demonstrates that Ohio has a framework that could be extended to professional athletes.
West Virginia
In 2024, Governor Jim Justice signed a bill that allows the West Virginia Lottery Commission to ban individuals from participating in sports betting for abusive behavior. The commission may act if the individual has a prior conviction under the designated code, has a prior violation of an order from the lottery commission, or if the commission finds that the individual is a safety threat or has a pattern of harassing sports officials, coaches, or participants. Individuals subject to these restrictions will be notified of the commission’s decision and can request a hearing before the ban is fully instituted against them.[4]
Louisiana
Governor Jeff Landry signed a similar bill that went into effect on August 1. SB 325 requires the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to exclude individuals from both in-person and online sports betting if they are found to threaten violence or harm against a participant before, during, or after a sporting event.[5]
Wyoming
In 2024, the Wyoming Gaming Commission unanimously voted to amend its rules to allow for individuals who engage in harassing behavior to be placed on an involuntary exclusion list. Further, the commission amended the definition of “harass” to effectuate the change.[6]
Massachusetts
While not listed in the collective league letter, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has recently introduced the “Bet on Respect” initiative. This new program allows incidents to be reported to the commission by representatives of leagues, players’ associations, college athletics programs, sports venues, and players themselves. Upon review of the evidence, the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau may investigate further (including by subpoena), dismiss the report, or begin the exclusion process. Individuals who are placed on the exclusion list will be notified of the decision and have 30 days to appeal their placement.[7]
What Comes Next
Most states have yet to adopt rules for bettors who threaten or harass athletes and those connected to the game. The few states that have serve as laboratories, allowing other states to borrow pieces that work best. With the leagues’ letter now before a majority of state regulators, the next few months will determine if these bans become a national standard or remain a patchwork.
[1] Schefter, A. [@adamschefter]. (2026, September 15). The NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA and NHL joined with their respective players’ unions today to crack down on betting-related harassment [Post]. X. https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2099849599531848047?s=20
[2] US sports leagues urge lifetime betting bans for those threatening athletes https://www.reuters.com/sports/us-sports-leagues-urge-lifetime-betting-bans-those-threatening-athletes-2026-09-15/; Murphy v. NCAA, 584 U.S. 453 (2018).
[3] Ohio Takes a Stand on Sports Betting Threats https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/industry/ohio-taking-stand-sports-betting-threats/; House Bill 33 https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb33
[4] West Virginia Bill Curbing Sports Betting Harassment Heads to Governor https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/industry/west-virginia-bill-curbing-sports-betting-harassment-heads-to-governor/; House Bill 4700 https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4700%20intr.htm&yr=2024&sesstype=RS&billtype=B&i=4700
[5] Louisiana Lawmakers Send Sports Betting Harassment Bill to Governor https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/industry/louisiana-lawmakers-send-sports-betting-harassment-bill-to-governor/; SB 325 https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=250823
[6] Wyoming Gaming Commission votes in rule to penalise those who harass athletes https://igamingbusiness.com/sports-betting/wyoming-harass-involuntary-exclusion-list/; U.S. Sports Leagues Urge Lifetime Ban For Sports Betting Harassment https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/industry/u-s-sports-leagues-urge-lifetime-ban-for-sports-betting-harassment/; Wyoming Gaming Commission Administrative Rules https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BE_QyEYCAzFUxHaEQAsUvpJaaR6R_fJ9/view
[7] BET ON RESPECT https://massgaming.com/bet-on-respect/; U.S. Sports Leagues Urge Lifetime Ban For Sports Betting Harassment https://www.sportsbettingdime.com/news/industry/u-s-sports-leagues-urge-lifetime-ban-for-sports-betting-harassment/
Lily Busler is a 3L at the University at Buffalo School of Law with a focus on intellectual property and trademark law. In law school, Lily is involved with the Student Bar Association of Erie and Monroe County, Phi Alpha Delta, and the Law & Business Association. She also serves as a Senior Associate Editor for the Buffalo Environmental Law Journal and the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review. Outside of school, Lily is a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan and was a season ticket holder for many years.
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