PROTECT Student Athletes Act

This bill would ban “prop bets” on college athletes’ individual actions or stats during a game. It says sports betting crosses state lines and can affect student athletes’ well‑being and the fairness of college sports, so a national rule is needed.

Under the bill, betting businesses could not take any wager that depends on a student athlete doing (or not doing) a specific thing in a college game. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce this rule using its usual powers and penalties. The bill defines “covered prop bet,” “intercollegiate sporting event,” and “student athlete” to make clear it applies to college sports and player-specific bets.

• Who is affected: Sportsbooks and other betting companies, people who place bets on college sports, and college athletes.
• What changes: Betting companies would be barred from accepting prop bets on individual college athletes’ performance.
• How it’s enforced: The FTC would treat violations like unfair or deceptive practices and could use its standard tools and penalties.
• When: It would take effect if passed into law; no specific start date is given in the text provided.