This guide explains how state regulators treat proposition bets on college athletes and how to verify market status on a prop bets website. It focuses on the specific issue of individual college-athlete props, which attracted regulatory attention after a 2024 NCAA request, and it shows where to look for authoritative guidance. The goal is to give sports fans and experienced bettors a clear, practical checklist for confirming whether a particular college player prop is permitted in their state and how operators typically reflect catalog rules in their market menus.

Several state regulators explicitly prohibit proposition wagers on individual college athletes in their official catalogs.

Operators implement regulator bans by removing markets or marking them unavailable in state-specific menus.

Always verify a college-related prop using the state regulator's catalog and the operator's state menu before wagering.

Quick summary: how prop bets website rules differ across U.S. states

Top-line answer

Short answer: regulators have not adopted a single nationwide ban on all proposition bets, but by 2026 several state regulators specifically prohibit proposition wagers tied to individual college athletes. For readers using a prop bets website the practical point is that the restriction map focuses on college player markets rather than eliminating prop bets across the board. When citing official catalogs, New York and Virginia are among the regulators that list individual college-athlete props as prohibited wager types in their sports wagering catalogs, so those catalogs are a sensible starting point for state-level checks New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog.

That pattern means many other prop markets remain available in most states, but college player props have drawn targeted attention from regulators and the NCAA. Operators and regulators use catalog language to define permitted and prohibited markets, and those authoritative lists are the place to verify a specific market on a prop bets website.

Confirm market legality before placing college props

Before placing a college-related prop on a prop bets website, check your state regulator wagering catalog and the operator's state menu to confirm whether individual player props are allowed where you are located.

Check state catalog

What to check next

Practical next steps: consult the state regulator catalog for explicit prohibitions, then confirm the operator menu for your state. If a market is prohibited by the regulator the operator should remove or mark that market unavailable. If you do not find clear guidance, contact the operator and, if needed, the state regulator for clarification.

Keep in mind that catalogs are updated periodically and operator menus can change quickly when regulators issue new guidance or when major events prompt rapid review.

What are proposition bets and why phrase matters on a prop bets website

Definition of proposition bets

Proposition bets, commonly called props, are wagers on specific events within a game or contest rather than on the final outcome. Examples include whether a team will score a certain number of points, a player will record a particular statistical milestone, or a tournament will produce a given result. On a prop bets website these markets are often displayed alongside traditional win-loss lines, but their legal status depends on how the market is described and where the event occurs.

Difference: team props vs individual props

Regulators routinely distinguish team-level markets from individual athlete markets, and that distinction matters for college-related wagers. Several state catalogs treat team-level college props differently from individual college-athlete props, allowing certain team or tournament markets while explicitly excluding wagers that name or depend on a specific college player. The NCAA and some regulators have cited concerns about athlete harassment and integrity when urging limits on individual player markets NCAA call for states to ban college player props.

For a user on a prop bets website that means how a market is labeled and the underlying event description can determine whether it is permitted in a jurisdiction. If a market references an identified college athlete, many regulators require it to be excluded even if comparable team-level bets remain available.

Why college player props became a focus: the NCAA request and regulator responses

NCAA call to action in 2024

In March 2024 the NCAA publicly urged states to ban proposition wagers that name or rely on the individual performance of college athletes, citing safety and integrity concerns for student-athletes. That call prompted a wave of regulatory review and public discussion about how market rules should treat college player props NCAA announcement. See the NCAA media release here.

Which states ban prop bets on individual college athletes?

Several states, including New York, Virginia, Illinois, and Colorado, explicitly prohibit proposition wagers on individual college athletes in their official sports wagering catalogs or approved events lists; other states acted after the NCAA request to add similar prohibitions.

How states reacted in 2024 and after

Following the NCAA request, a number of states moved to tighten rules or to reaffirm existing prohibitions on individual college-athlete props. In several states the result was a clearer prohibition in the official sports wagering catalogs or guidance documents, while other regulators issued operator directives to remove selected markets. The speed and form of those responses varied by state, so a regulator action in 2024 might look different from a catalog update in 2025 or later ESPN overview of reactions. See additional reporting on state action here.

Because state procedures differ, some jurisdictions processed changes through formal catalog revisions while others used targeted enforcement or operator communications. That is why the effective date and method of notice matter when checking whether a market is currently allowed.

Which states explicitly prohibit individual college-athlete prop bets

Authoritative catalog entries and examples

Several state regulators include explicit prohibitions against proposition wagers on individual college athletes in their official materials. New York's sports wagering catalog, for example, lists individual college-athlete props as prohibited while still allowing other college markets under specified conditions New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog.

Virginia's sports betting event and wager catalogue likewise bars proposition bets on individual college athletes and has carried that policy into its 2025 updates, making the prohibition a clear part of the state's approved events language Virginia Lottery event and wager catalogue.

States with recent actions or clarifications

Illinois includes individual college-athlete props as a prohibited wager type in its sports wagering catalog, which is the definitive list for operators licensed in that state Illinois Gaming Board sports wagering catalog.

Colorado's Division of Gaming maintains an approved events and wagers list that disallows college player prop bets and has continued to update that list through 2025 and into 2026 guidance cycles Colorado approved sports betting events and wagers.

In addition to those catalog entries, several other states acted after the NCAA request to expand the map of college player prop prohibitions. States that took steps or issued clarifying notices in the wake of the NCAA call include Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana, and Vermont, where regulators directed operators to remove identified individual player markets. Those actions reflect a broader trend of regulators prioritizing athlete safety and market integrity following the NCAA guidance.

How operator catalogs and market menus implement regulator bans (product note)

How operators remove or label markets

Operators typically enforce state prohibitions by removing a prohibited market from the state-specific menu or by marking it unavailable with an explanatory note. The operator's market feed for each state should mirror the regulator's approved events and wagers list, and operators often add state tags to individual markets to prevent placement where a prohibition applies.

Funded Plays Challenges

Check state catalog

When a regulator updates its catalog the operator workflow commonly includes disabling the market in that jurisdiction, notifying customers through a market change log, and withholding any bets that were accepted in error while the change is reconciled with the regulator. See the Funded Plays blog here.

Where to find operator notices

Look for state-specific notices in the operator's help center, the market change log, or the event menu that shows availability by state. These operator-level pages are where you will see how the catalog language translates into practice for users on a prop bets website.

Variations to watch: team props, tournament props, and local nuance

States that allow team-level college props

Some states permit team-level college markets while still excluding individual college-athlete props. Catalog language often draws the line by allowing bets that reference teams, game outcomes, or tournament-level events but explicitly excluding wagers that identify a named college athlete. That distinction means a prop bets website may offer team-based college lines in a jurisdiction even when player-specific markets are blocked New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog.

Edge cases and mixed rules

Mixed rules can also appear where a catalog permits some tournament props but prohibits individual player markets, or where a state allows certain statistical or aggregate markets but not named-player wagers. Because catalog phrasing varies, identical-sounding markets can have different legal treatment depending on the underlying description and whether the wager names a student-athlete Virginia Lottery event and wager catalogue.

These nuances reinforce the need to review the specific market description on a prop bets website and the regulator's catalog entry for that market before assuming availability.

How to check current status on a prop bets website and regulator catalog (tool suggestion)

Step-by-step checklist

Use a short reproducible checklist when you want to confirm if a college-related prop is allowed where you are: 1) open the state regulator's approved events or sports wagering catalog, 2) use the operator's state filter or menu to view the market as presented to users in your location, and 3) verify any operator notices or market logs that explain recent removals or restrictions. If the catalog explicitly lists individual college-athlete props as prohibited, the operator should not offer those markets in that state New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog.

Quick verification checklist to confirm market legality

Consult regulator catalog
Check operator state menu
Confirm geolocation

Use regulator catalogs as the authoritative source

Bookmark the regulator catalog pages for the states where you bet, and use the operator state selector to see the market experience that applies to your account. Also review the Funded Plays how-fundedplays-evaluations-work post here.

Official catalog pages to bookmark

Authoritative examples include the New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog and your state regulator's approved events list. Those documents are the primary evidence of permitted and prohibited wager types for operators licensed in each state New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog.

Practical steps for users to avoid prohibited markets

Before placing a bet

Before placing any college-related prop on a prop bets website, confirm the market is available in your state by using the operator's state filter and by checking the state regulator catalog. If the regulator catalog lists individual college-athlete props as prohibited, do not attempt to place that market in that jurisdiction.

Also confirm the effective date of the catalog update. Catalog revisions often include an effective date that tells you when a prohibition or allowance took effect, and that date matters for any markets you may have seen previously.

If you see a questionable market

If an operator displays a market that appears to be prohibited in your state, contact the operator's customer service immediately and save screenshots of the market. If the operator does not resolve the issue, file a complaint with the state regulator and reference the catalog language that governs permitted wager types Illinois Gaming Board sports wagering catalog.

Documenting the market state and the operator response helps regulators investigate and ensures the operator can correct any compliance gap promptly.

Common enforcement actions and operator notices after catalog changes

Typical regulator directives

When regulators decide to block a class of markets they may update the approved events list, issue a revised sports wagering catalog, or send direct guidance to operators requiring removal of specific markets. These actions form the official record of what operators must change for compliance NCAA call and subsequent guidance.

How operators communicate market removals

Operators commonly remove affected markets, add an availability notice in the market description, or publish a change log entry explaining why certain wagers were disabled. That operator communication is the practical signal to customers that a catalog change has been implemented and that the market is no longer available in a given state.

When enforcement occurs, operators may also suspend bets placed in error while they reconcile with the regulator, and they typically update their help center to reflect the state-specific change.

Typical misunderstandings and mistakes when checking prop bet legality

Assuming operator menus are comprehensive

One common mistake is assuming an operator menu fully reflects legal status across all jurisdictions. An operator may show a market in regions where it is permitted while not offering it where it is prohibited, and the operator display alone does not replace the regulator's catalog as the authoritative source.

Confusing team and individual markets

Another frequent error is treating identically named markets as legally equivalent across states. A team-based college market might be legal in a state that bans individual player props. Carefully read the market description and cross-check it against the catalog wording to avoid misinterpretation.

Also check the catalog effective date, because a market that was once available may have been removed by a recent update and the operator display may lag the official change.

Real scenarios: traveling between states, mobile apps, and market access

Example: a bettor travels from State A to State B

Scenario: a bettor who travels sees a college player prop available at home but not after crossing into a state that prohibits individual college-athlete props. That difference is typically driven by the receiving state's wagering catalog, which the operator uses to filter markets based on the user's geolocation and the operator license that covers the user's state Colorado approved sports betting events and wagers.

Minimalist 2D vector of a tablet showing a simplified government sports wagering catalog mockup with a notepad and pen beside it for a prop bets website

In practice, mobile geolocation systems block a market where the catalog prohibits it, and operators present a different market menu depending on where you are located. Always verify the market after you change states and before placing a bet.

How mobile geolocation affects market availability

Mobile platforms typically detect the bettor's state and show only the markets that are permitted under that state's catalog. If a player prop is barred in the destination state the operator should not display that market there, even if the same player prop is visible in the origin state before travel.

Because geolocation can occasionally misclassify location, check your operator account settings, confirm GPS permissions, and if necessary contact support to resolve discrepancies before wagering.

What to watch next: open items and likely monitoring priorities

Potential changes to watch

Open items include whether more states adopt explicit bans on individual college-athlete props, whether existing prohibitions are expanded or narrowed, and how enforcement guidance evolves ahead of major tournaments. Regulators update catalogs on different cycles, so changes can occur without uniform timing across states Overview of ongoing monitoring.

How to monitor updates

Recommended monitoring steps: bookmark the sports wagering catalog pages for the states where you bet, subscribe to regulator notices if available, and watch operator change logs for immediate practical effects. These practices help you detect changes quickly and adjust the use of a prop bets website accordingly.

For operators and users alike, the focus will likely remain on college player props and catalog language that defines prohibited markets, so those are the most important items to watch.

Conclusion: clear next steps for readers using a prop bets website

Summary action list

Checklist to follow now: consult your state regulator's sports wagering catalog, check the operator's state menu for the market in question, and contact operator support if you find a market that appears to conflict with the catalog. If the issue remains unresolved, file a complaint with the regulator and reference the catalog provision that governs the market.

Where to find authoritative sources

Authoritative catalogs to consult include the New York State Gaming Commission, the Virginia Lottery event and wager catalogue, the Illinois Gaming Board sports wagering catalog, and the Colorado Division of Gaming approved events list. Those regulator documents are the primary sources for permitted and prohibited market types and should be the first point of verification New York State Gaming Commission sports wagering catalog. See the Funded Plays homepage here.

Use the steps in this article as a routine check before placing any college-related prop on a prop bets website, and remember that operator implementation follows the regulator catalog for each licensed state.

Do any states ban all prop bets?

No. As of 2026, regulators target individual college-athlete props rather than banning proposition bets across all sports in any single U.S. jurisdiction.

Which regulators explicitly prohibit college player props?

Several state regulators, including New York, Virginia, Illinois, and Colorado, list individual college-athlete prop wagers as prohibited in their official catalogs or approved events lists.

What should I do if I see a prohibited market on a prop bets website?

Contact the operator's customer support, save evidence of the market, and if the operator does not resolve it, file a complaint with your state regulator referencing the catalog language.

If you regularly use a prop bets website, make checking state catalogs and operator state menus a routine part of your process. That habit reduces the risk of attempting to place prohibited wagers and keeps your activity aligned with regulator guidance. Stay prepared by bookmarking regulator catalogs for the states where you bet, noting catalog effective dates, and saving operator change logs or notices that explain market removals.