Tennessee targets betting‑related athlete abuse; gaps remain
Tennessee lawmakers have introduced legislation that would criminalise the harassment of college athletes, marking one of the most far-reaching state efforts yet to tackle online abuse linked to sports performance and gambling.
The proposal, House Bill 1769, was introduced on 20 January by Representative John Ray Clemmons and is formally titled the Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Protection Act. If enacted, the bill would make repeated sports-related bullying or cyberbullying of student athletes a criminal offence and allow victims to pursue civil damages.
Expert: Bill addresses real harm but leaves open questions
Matthew Wein, a former US Department of Homeland Security official who now covers gambling-related threats in the Secure Stakes newsletter, told SiGMA News that the legislation appears designed to deter harassment but raises important questions around scope and enforcement. “Criminalising the behaviour could be a deterrent for some,” he said.
Wein also questioned how the law would be applied in practice, particularly in cases involving individuals located outside Tennessee or even outside the United States. “There is still a lot of discretion around what qualifies as ‘repeated over time’ and when an investigation would begin.” He added that jurisdiction remains unclear.
“It’s also unclear how investigators would pursue someone from a different state or country who harasses an athlete in Tennessee,” Wein said. “Or whether they would investigate cases where a University of Tennessee athlete is harassed while competing in another state.”
What the bill proposes
Under HB1769, a person would commit the offence of student-athlete harassment if they intentionally engage in sports-related bullying or cyberbullying is repeated over time and intends to harm, intimidate, or humiliate a student athlete, causing emotional distress.
A first offence would be classified as a Class A misdemeanour, while repeat violations could rise to a Class E felony. The bill also creates a private right of action, allowing student athletes to sue offenders for a minimum of $75,000 per intentional violation, in addition to actual and punitive damages and legal costs. If passed, the law would take effect on 1 July 2026.
Wein noted that the bill takes a deliberately broad approach to online communication. “The bill treats online communications with a pretty broad brush, which is not necessarily a bad thing,” he said. “Given that this is a novel effort, it leaves room for legislators and stakeholders to discuss how real-world use cases would be impacted and whether changes are needed.”
The legislation comes amid heightened concern across US college sport over online harassment, threats and abuse directed at athletes, often following high-profile games and betting losses. A November NCAA study found that Division I men’s basketball players face the highest rate of gambling-related harassment across college sports.
NIL visibility and athlete targeting
The legislation follows the expansion of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules, which have significantly increased the public profile of college athletes. However, Wein said the intent of the bill is not to single out higher-earning players. “NIL does make athletes more visible,” he said. “But the point of the legislation is that it should not make them a target for harassment, regardless of their notoriety or income.”
NCAA data and academic studies have shown a rise in online abuse of athletes since the expansion of legal sports betting, with much of the harassment linked directly to wagering outcomes rather than player conduct or compensation.
A narrow response to a broader issue
While welcoming legislative attention, Wein stressed that HB1769 addresses only one aspect of a wider structural problem. “This only deals with one slice of a broader issue,” he said. “I still urge the NCAA and major sports leagues to work together, alongside sportsbooks, social media platforms, and others, to address athlete harassment and the abuse of gambling markets.”
In recent years, the NCAA has publicly called for greater cooperation between regulators, betting operators, and digital platforms, citing evidence that harassment spikes following betting-related losses.
A bill that may shape the national debate
Wein said Tennessee’s proposal could influence other jurisdictions, regardless of whether it ultimately passes. “Some states will look at this and decide existing laws are sufficient,” he said. “Others will say society has changed so much that new laws are needed.”
Even unsuccessful bills can still have an impact, he added. “Sometimes legislation doesn’t pass, but it forces a necessary policy conversation,” Wein said. “That can still lead to meaningful change in the long run.”
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