Professional Sports Unions Urge CFTC to Ban 'Under' Bets on Player Performance, Citing Harassment Risks
Player unions from top U.S. sports leagues demand CFTC ban 'under' bets on prediction markets, citing harassment risks and urging stronger regulation.
Breaking: Unions Demand Immediate Ban on Player Underperformance Bets
The unions representing players across the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS have sent an urgent letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) demanding a ban on prediction market platforms that allow bets on a player's underperformance or injury. The call comes amid escalating concerns over athlete safety and privacy.
"These markets incentivize the worst behavior in people, targeting individual players with harassment when they don't meet gambling expectations," said a spokesperson for the players' unions in a joint statement. The letter warns that such bets exacerbate mental health risks and threaten the integrity of professional sports.
Background: The Rise of Prediction Markets
The letter is a direct response to the CFTC's request for public comment on the regulation of prediction markets, including platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. These platforms allow users to wager on binary outcomes, such as whether a player will score fewer than a set number of points or be injured during a game.
Unlike traditional sportsbooks that set odds on team performance, prediction markets place a direct financial stake on individual athletes' actions. Unions argue this creates a dangerously personal target for gamblers.
"In recent months, we've seen an uptick in online abuse directed at players who underperform, often linked to bets placed on these unregulated platforms," noted a sports law expert at Georgetown University. The unions are specifically calling for a ban on "under" bets—wagers that a player will fail to meet a statistical threshold.
Key Demands: Ban 'Under' Bets and Strengthen Oversight
In addition to banning "under" bets, the unions are pushing for stricter registration requirements for all prediction market operators. They argue that current CFTC oversight is insufficient to protect athletes and their families from "abusive and harassing behavior" fueled by gambling.
"The financial incentive to see a player fail is toxic," said a former NFL defensive back turned advocate. "No athlete should play under a cloud of bets that profit when he gets hurt." The unions' letter warns that without immediate action, the problem will escalate as more prediction markets launch.
What This Means
A ban on "under" bets would represent a seismic shift in how sports gambling is regulated in the United States. Currently, prediction markets operate in a legal gray area, often treating bets as "event contracts" rather than traditional wagers.
If the CFTC adopts the unions' recommendations, it could set a precedent for limiting the scope of what can be gambled on—moving away from individual player metrics. This would likely impact platforms like Kalshi, which have seen surging popularity among retail investors.
"This is a clear signal that player welfare must come before profit," commented a spokesperson for the National Basketball Players Association. The move could also pressure state regulators to reconsider their own rules on sports betting markets.
However, some industry analysts question whether a ban is enforceable. "Prediction markets can easily pop up abroad and still attract U.S. users," cautioned a securities lawyer. The unions counter that clear federal rules would deter major platforms and limit the spread of such harmful bets.
For athletes, the immediate effect would be a reduction in targeted harassment. But the broader implication is a rebalancing of power: unions are asserting that gambling should never trump the dignity and safety of their members.