- The Wyoming Gaming Commission will ban sports bettors who are found to be harassing athletes
- Gaming regulators voted to allow those who are found to be harassing athletes to be placed on an involuntary exclusion list
- The NCAA and University of Wyoming have both approved of the changes
Wyoming gaming regulators are taking a hardline stance against sports bettors who are found to be harassing athletes.
The Wyoming Gaming Commission approved changes to its regulations to better define harassment and voted to allow those found to be engaging in harassing behavior against athletes to be placed on an involuntary exclusion list to be banned from sports betting in the state.
Wyoming now joins Ohio and West Virginia as the only states in the country to lay out a ban for sports bettors found to be harassing athletes.
NCAA and University of Wyoming Approved Changes
The Wyoming Gaming Commission took steps to clearly define what harassment is during the meeting. The gaming commission worked with the state’s attorney general’s office to amend the definition of harassment to the following:
“It means to engage in conduct including, but not limited to, verbal threats, written threats, electronic threats, lewd or obscene statements or images, vandalism, or non-consequential physical contact directed at a person that the defendant knew or would have know would have caused a reasonable person to suffer.”
Any sports bettor who is found to be harassing an athlete under this definition can now be placed on a state involuntary exclusion list to be banned from sports betting in the state. The commission noted both the NCAA and University of Wyoming have reviewed the changes and prohibition policy and have given their approval.
The commission members unanimously approved the changes and effectively opened a 45-day public comment period before being sent to Gov. Mark Gordon (R) for final approval.
Wyoming Joins Ohio, West Virginia in Bans
Wyoming is the the third state to officially institute new regulations to ban sports bettors engaging in harassment of athletes.
Ohio included a provision in its 2024-2025 fiscal year budget in July 2023 that allows state regulators to permanently ban or place sports bettors on an exclusion list if they’re found to be harassing or threatening athletes over a sporting event. It was the first state to approve such a harassment provision in the country.
Here’s what the approved provision says:
“Allows CAC to exclude a person from participating in sports gaming in Ohio if the person has threatened violence or harm against a person who is involved in a sporting event, where the threat was related to sports gaming and made before, during, or after a sporting event. Stipulates that this provision enhances and in no way decreases a CAC’s existing broad powers and authority in this area.”
Earlier this year, West Virginia lawmakers approved a new bill to give the West Virginia Lottery Commission the power to ban individuals from sports betting if they’re found harassing athletes, coaches, or officials at a sporting event.
The West Virginia Lottery Commission can ban individuals from participating in sports betting in the state for the following provisions:
- A prior conviction of this code
- A prior violation of an order from the lottery commission
- If the commission determines that the person poses a threat to the safety of patrons or participants in a sporting event or determines that the person has engaged in a pattern of conduct of harassing a sports official, coach, or any participants.
Individuals will be notified of the commission’s decision and will have the opportunity to request a hearing in their defense before the ban is instituted in full.
The Wyoming Gaming Commission has taken a firm stance against athlete harassment, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for all participants in the gaming industry. The commission’s opposition to athlete harassment comes in response to a growing concern over the mistreatment of athletes, both online and offline.
Athlete harassment can take many forms, including verbal abuse, threats, and cyberbullying. These behaviors not only have a negative impact on the mental and emotional well-being of athletes, but they can also harm their performance and overall experience in the gaming community. The Wyoming Gaming Commission recognizes that addressing athlete harassment is crucial in promoting a positive and inclusive gaming culture.
In addition to condemning athlete harassment, the Wyoming Gaming Commission is taking proactive steps to prevent and address these issues within the gaming industry. This includes implementing policies and guidelines that promote respect and professionalism among all participants, as well as providing resources and support for athletes who may be experiencing harassment.
The commission is also working closely with gaming organizations and stakeholders to raise awareness about athlete harassment and encourage a zero-tolerance approach to such behavior. By fostering a culture of respect and accountability, the Wyoming Gaming Commission aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for all individuals involved in the gaming industry.
Overall, the Wyoming Gaming Commission’s opposition to athlete harassment sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated within the gaming community. By taking a stand against athlete harassment, the commission is helping to protect the well-being and dignity of athletes, while also promoting a more positive and inclusive gaming environment for all.
