Major League Baseball (MLB) has recently moved to restrict micro prop betting, which involves wagering on small in-game events. The decision was made in light of possible threats to the sport’s integrity. Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine has expressed worries that these wagers might result in insider influence and manipulation, which has sparked more extensive conversations on the moral limits of sports betting.
MLB’s crackdown on micro prop betting
Micro prop bets involve wagering on specific in-game actions rather than the overall outcome. Examples include betting on whether the first pitch is a strike, how many batters a pitcher strikes out in an inning, or if a player hits a single in their next at-bat.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is working with major sportsbooks to eliminate micro prop bets from baseball markets, reported by The Columbus Dispatch. Manfred is also coordinating with other professional leagues to push for a nationwide ban, aiming to standardize regulations across all states and reduce the risk of rule exploitation.
Governor DeWine’s push for integrity
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has publicly opposed micro prop betting, calling it a threat to the integrity of sports. He supports a unified national policy but has stated that Ohio may implement its own restrictions if necessary. The Ohio Casino Control Commission could introduce rules to ban micro prop bets within the state, DeWine said in an interview with The Dispatch.
DeWine said, “These micro prop bets are just very dangerous. They’re really a great threat to the integrity of sports. And they can occur in baseball, but they can also occur in other sports as well. And they do occur in other sports as well.”
Risks of micro prop bets
Micro prop bets offer fast outcomes but raise ethical concerns. Because they depend on individual player actions rather than team results, they increase the risk of manipulation. Even the perception of a player altering performance to influence a bet can undermine public trust. Additionally, players may face pressure or harassment from bettors affected by these wagers.
Cleveland Guardians case
Earlier this year, the Cleveland Guardians placed pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase on temporary leave while MLB investigated suspicious betting activity involving team games. Although both players were later cleared, the incident raised concerns about how betting-related scrutiny can affect public confidence in the sport. Governor DeWine cited the case as a reason to push for stricter oversight.
Sports betting in US
Since the US Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, the industry has grown rapidly. Most major sports leagues now have partnerships with betting operators. More than half of all bets on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are in-game wagers, which have emerged as the most popular type of gambling. Although they are a major component of this growth, micro prop bets also give rise to worries about greater vulnerability to possible manipulation.
Legal and regulatory challenges
State rules governing sports betting differ. Ohio outlawed prop bets on college athletes in February 2024 after receiving complaints of harassment from student-athletes. Similar acts in professional sports may be influenced by this ruling. The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review in Ohio has the authority to swiftly adopt new regulations upon request from a league, indicating the possibility of cooperation between leagues and state authorities.
Federal investigations and NBA case
Following FBI Director Kash Patel’s declaration regarding an investigation into illegal gambling involving an NBA coach, a player, and a former player, MLB recently took action. In order to stop more instances, leagues have been forced to review their betting policies in light of these events.
Other leagues may follow suit if MLB’s efforts result in a nationwide policy. State-to-state compliance could be made easier by a federal norm. However, individual states like Ohio may enact their own laws if states or betting firms oppose, leading to a variety of legislation across the country.
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