URGENT UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) has just announced a nationwide $200 betting limit on wagers targeting individual pitches, responding to serious integrity concerns following a recent gambling scandal. This decision, made in collaboration with major sportsbooks, aims to thwart potential manipulation of game outcomes as the league continues to address suspicious betting activities.
The announcement comes after federal prosecutors revealed an indictment on June 25, 2023, charging Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase in connection with an elaborate gambling scheme. Allegations suggest that gamblers profited approximately $450,000 by betting on whether specific pitches would be called balls or strikes and predicting their velocities. The indictment has raised significant alarm bells within the MLB and the betting community.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the game, stating, “I commend the industry for working with us to take action on a national solution to address the risks posed by these pitch-level markets.” He noted that this collaboration is critical to “uphold our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans.”
The new regulations not only limit the maximum wager but also prohibit these pitch-specific bets from being included in parlays—further reducing incentives for illicit betting practices. This decision follows months of discussions with authorized sportsbook partners, initiated after unusual betting patterns were detected in June.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been vocal in supporting these measures, calling for a ban on micro-proposition bets. He praised MLB’s proactive steps, stating, “By limiting the ability to place large wagers on micro-prop bets, Major League Baseball is taking affirmative steps to protect the integrity of the game and reduce the incentives to participate in improper betting schemes.” DeWine urged other sports leagues to adopt similar actions to safeguard their integrity.
Both DraftKings and FanDuel, the largest operators in the U.S. betting market, confirmed their commitment to these new standards. A spokesperson for DraftKings stated, “In collaboration with Major League Baseball, we have adjusted certain bet types to further deter bad actors while helping maintain fairness and trust in the game.”
FanDuel President Christian Genetski echoed these sentiments, affirming that the industry will continue to work closely with sports leagues to combat corruption. “This initiative illustrates our unwavering commitment to building a legal and regulated market that roots out abuses by those who seek to undermine fair competition and damage the integrity of the games we love,” Genetski explained.
This urgent update comes at a critical juncture for MLB as it grapples with the implications of gambling on its sport. The recent scandal has brought to light vulnerabilities in the betting landscape, prompting immediate action from both the league and its partners.
As developments unfold, attention will be drawn to how these changes impact the betting landscape and whether other leagues will follow suit in establishing stricter regulations. Fans and bettors alike are urged to stay informed as MLB takes decisive steps to ensure the integrity of America’s pastime is upheld.