Missouri Gaming Commission Makes Decision On NCAA Betting Request

Jan 10, 2026; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Missouri Tigers guard/forward Trent Pierce (11) holds after a shot attempt during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

In the wake of several recent betting scandals, the NCAA sent a request to the Missouri Gaming Commission to restrict bets on prop bets involving college athletes. After a week of deliberation, the gaming commission has responded to the NCAA.

Missouri Gaming Commission’s Response to the NCAA

In regard to banning college prop bets, the Missouri Gaming Commission has rejected the request.

Recent gambling scandals involving college basketball led the NCAA to call for a ban on prop bets, which typically revolve around player performance. For example, a prop bet would be to wager that a player scores more than 10 points in a basketball game. The same principle applies to football—fans can bet on a player to go over or under their receiving yards.

Besides prop bets, the NCAA is hoping that states ban other specialty bets that might affect performance. For example, the NCAA does not want bettors to be allowed to wager if a team will trail by a specific point spread at halftime.

Missouri is one of the more recent states to legalize sports betting. In December, Missouri became the 39th state to amend its constitution and allow sports betting. Missouri did not want to change its rules so soon.

“I just don’t feel that I have enough information to grant a request by the NCAA to prohibit this type of sports wagering, because I don’t know enough yet,” commission chair Jan Zimmerman said.

While Missouri rejected the NCAA’s proposal, the state’s gaming commission left the door open to revisit the issue down the line.

Gambling Scandals Rock College Athletics

While the legalization of sports gambling has undoubtedly increased revenue in many states, it has also opened the door for corruption.

Last week, federal indictments named over 39 players on more than 17 different NCAA Division I basketball teams who fixed and manipulated at least 29 games.

26 people were charged in connection with an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games.

Shane Hennen was named one of the masterminds of the illegal gambling ring. Hennen recruited several trainers and former players to take part in his scheme.

Hennen and his group would bribe players into fixing games. Hennen and Co. would then place lucrative wagers on the results.

Bribe payments ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

Defendants Smith, Fairley, Hennen, Winkler, Laureano, and Blakeney approached and communicated with NCAA basketball players, in person and through social media, text message communications, and cellular telephone calls, the indictment alleges, with the fixers offering the players bribe payments, usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game, to participate in the scheme.

Hennen is now in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors. Expect more legal action against the accused participants in the coming months.

Prop Bet Issues

There is no universal rule on prop bets for college athletes in sports betting. Props vary from state to state, depending on the rules established by their respective gaming commissions.

In 2023, the NCAA encouraged states to restrict prop bets on college athletics.

For now, prop bets will be a state-by-state issue.

Andrew Foster

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