5 major sports leagues and players associations ask for protections from sports bettors’ threats

In a joint effort, five major sports leagues and their players associations have requested safeguards against threats and harassment from sports bettors, according to a letter obtained by the Associated Press. The NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA, Major League Soccer, and the NHL, along with their players associations, addressed gambling regulators in 35 states and the District of Columbia.

Their aim is to establish rules that would permanently strip betting privileges from anyone found to have threatened or "abusively harassed" any professional or amateur athlete, coach, official, or team personnel.

The letter highlighted the growing concern over threats and violent messages directed at players, coaches, and their families through social media and in-person interactions. Such behavior not only violates ethical guidelines but is also a criminal offense. The leagues and players associations emphasized the importance of safeguarding athletes and their families, stating that "threatening the safety of an athlete or their family members over a sports bet crosses a bright ethical and criminal line."

Ohio, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Wyoming have already implemented measures to exclude "bad actors" from licensed sportsbooks and mobile applications. However, the remaining 35 states and District of Columbia lack similar laws or protections, as the Supreme Court's decision in 2018 opened the door for gambling legalization. The sports leagues and players associations are urging state gaming commissions and policymakers to adopt uniform rules and legislative safeguards to address this troubling behavior promptly.

They further requested that state-regulated sportsbooks and mobile betting operators permanently revoke wagering privileges for individuals verified to have abusively harassed or issued threats of violence against athletes, coaches, officials, team personnel, or their families.