The calls for changes to Ohio sports betting policy to protect student athletes have been coming for some time.
Friday, the NCAA answered those calls.

Bettors will soon not be allowed to place prop bets.
Those are bets on individual players scoring a certain number of points, taking a certain number of shots, etc.

"Changing the rule was definitely overdue," says Jake Sylak, a YSU athlete who welcomes the change.
He sees it as an added layer of protection for players against harassment from bettors in a competitive environment that he says grew too hostile.

"You've definitely seen it in pro sports in the past, a lot of professional athletes have come forward and told their stories, but you never really thought it would get to the 18 year olds and the 20 year olds of the world," Sylak said. "Unfortunately it has."

YSU head football coach Doug Phillps told 21 News that he, his staff and players have gone through training recently on sports gambling.
He says he supports anything that does more to protect those players.

"It's something that I think we've got to continue to educate our student athletes, we've got to educate our coaches, and we've got to stay up with it because I think it's here to stay," he said.

While the Ohio Casino Control Commission concedes the potential for some negative impact on betting operators, its executive director says there's "good cause" to support the changes and that they would "safeguard the integrity of sports gaming."