NBA, NFL, and MLB Unions Push to Ban ‘Under’ Bets on Players
Unions for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS players want to stop bets that let people profit when athletes play badly or get hurt. These unions wrote a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the U.S. agency that oversees some types of betting markets. Their message: Stop prediction market platforms from offering “under” bets on player performance or injuries [Source: The Verge].
“Under” bets let fans wager that a player will do worse than expected—score fewer points, run for fewer yards, or maybe not finish a game due to injury. The unions say these bets can lead to harassment and abuse. They argue that betting on a player’s failure crosses a line and puts athletes and their families at risk. This push comes as the CFTC asks for public input on new rules for prediction markets. It’s a big deal because it could change how Americans bet on sports and how athletes are treated.
What Are Prediction Markets and How Do They Work in Sports?
Prediction markets are online platforms where people bet money on real-world events. Examples include Kalshi and Polymarket. On these sites, users can buy and sell shares tied to a yes-or-no question, like “Will Player X score more than 20 points tonight?” The price of each share moves as people trade, and the final outcome determines who wins.
These markets are different from classic sports betting. Traditional sportsbooks set odds and take bets on a team to win, the score difference, or a total number of points. Prediction markets, on the other hand, act more like mini stock markets. Users can trade positions up to the last minute, and prices can change fast based on news, rumors, or injuries.
Recently, prediction markets started letting people bet on very specific things, such as how many touchdowns a player will throw or whether a star will get injured. This trend lets fans feel more involved, but it also means they can bet against players. “Under” bets, in particular, let someone profit if an athlete underperforms or leaves the game hurt. This is new territory for sports betting, and it’s drawing attention from both fans and regulators.
Why Betting on Player ‘Unders’ and Injuries Raises Red Flags
The unions say “under” bets open the door for fans to target players with insults, threats, and harassment. If a fan stands to win money when a player does poorly, they might vent their anger online or even in real life. Social media makes this easier than ever. Athletes and their families can face a wave of negative comments after a bad game or an injury [Source: The Verge].
This pressure can hurt athletes’ mental health. Imagine knowing strangers profit when you mess up or get hurt. Some players talk about feeling extra stress, anxiety, or even shame when fans cheer their failures. That’s not just tough on the athlete—it also affects their loved ones, who may read or hear these messages.
There’s also a risk of bad actors trying to influence games. If enough money is on the line, some people might try to pressure or bribe players to underperform. Even rumors of this can damage the sport’s reputation. Betting on injuries is especially troubling. No one wants to see a business where fans hope for someone to get hurt just to cash in. This goes against the spirit of fair play and can make sports feel less safe and less fun for everyone.
Unions worry that letting people bet on failure and pain could turn athletes into targets. Past scandals in other sports—like match-fixing in soccer or gambling problems in baseball—show how betting, if left unchecked, can cross ethical lines and hurt trust in the game.
The CFTC’s Role and the Challenge of Regulating Prediction Markets
In the U.S., sports betting is mostly regulated at the state level. Each state decides what bets are allowed and which platforms can operate. Prediction markets are a gray area. They aren’t classic sportsbooks, so they sometimes fall under the watch of the CFTC—the same group that regulates futures trading for oil, gold, or crops.
Now, the CFTC is asking for public comments on how to regulate these new betting platforms. The unions’ letter is part of this process. The commission wants to know if prediction markets should be able to offer bets on sports, politics, or even the weather, and if so, what limits should apply.
Regulators face a tough choice. On one hand, prediction markets can give people new ways to interact with sports and may help gather crowd-sourced data. On the other hand, offering bets on player “unders” or injuries could do real harm. The CFTC must balance innovation with the need to keep athletes safe and protect the public from shady practices. It’s not just a legal question, but a moral one.
What a Ban on ‘Under’ Bets Could Mean for Everyone
If the CFTC bans “under” bets, players might feel more protected. They’d know fans couldn’t legally bet for them to fail or get hurt. This could help cut down on harassment and make the games more about skill than about rooting for disaster.
For prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, the change could hit their business hard. “Under” bets are a big draw for some users, especially those who think they see weaknesses others miss. A ban might shrink the types of bets these companies can offer, which could mean fewer trades and less excitement on their sites.
Fans and bettors would lose a way to express their predictions. Some say betting on “unders” is just part of the game, like betting on rain at a baseball game or a missed field goal in football. Others argue that it’s different to profit from a player’s pain. If the rules change, fans might need to adjust how they play along with their favorite sports.
History shows that when regulators crack down on certain bets, some action moves underground. Illegal betting markets or offshore sites may try to fill the gap. That’s why any new rule will need clear enforcement and cooperation with the leagues.
The Bigger Picture: Sports, Technology, and Integrity
Sports and gambling have always been linked, but technology is speeding things up. Apps let fans bet from their couch or even inside stadiums. Data feeds update odds in real time. Prediction markets let people bet on almost anything, from who wins the MVP to who gets injured before halftime.
But as these options grow, so does the risk that gambling can change how fans see the game. When people can bet on almost every move, it’s easy to forget the players are people, not just numbers on a screen. Leagues want to keep the action fair and safe—not just for athletes, but for fans too.
Maintaining trust is key. If fans think games are rigged, or if athletes feel targeted, everyone loses. That’s why rules around betting are always changing. In the past, baseball banned Pete Rose for betting on games. Soccer has seen scandals where players took money to influence outcomes. The lesson: clear lines help everyone know what’s fair.
Looking ahead, regulators and leagues will keep watching as betting technology grows. New rules may come soon, and unions will likely keep pushing for athlete safety. Fans will demand both fun and fairness.
Wrapping Up: Finding the Right Balance for the Future
The unions want to protect their members from bets they see as harmful. The CFTC and other regulators must decide how far to go in setting limits. The challenge is to make sure sports betting stays safe and fair, but also lets markets and fans have some freedom.
No one wants to see athletes harassed or hurt for someone else’s profit. At the same time, betting is big business, and many fans enjoy the thrill. The answer may be clear rules on what’s off-limits and strong penalties for abuse.
As sports, gambling, and technology keep changing, open talks between unions, leagues, platforms, and fans will be crucial. The goal: keep the games fun, fair, and safe for everyone—on and off the field. The story isn’t over yet, and the choices made now will shape how we watch and play sports for years to come.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
Why It Matters
- Banning 'under' bets could change how Americans interact with sports betting platforms.
- Player unions believe these bets encourage harassment and put athletes at risk.
- Regulatory decisions now could set a precedent for the future of sports gambling and athlete protection.
