Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has proposed a statewide ban on prop bets following recent incidents involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers. These consist of reports of athlete harassment, anomalous betting trends, and player suspensions. Prop betting, according to DeWine, was a “failed experiment”, and the prohibition is required to allay rising worries about the safety and integrity of sports betting.
MLB investigations that sparked the debate
Prop bets, also known as proposition bets, are wagers that are made on particular game occurrences rather than the outcome. Individual performances or moments are the focus of these wagers. Because prop bets are simple and let fans track particular players or acts during a game, they are frequently chosen.
This summer, Major League Baseball suspended Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase. While details of Clase’s suspension have not been disclosed, Ortiz was penalised due to suspicious betting activity in two games, one against the Mariners and another against the Cardinals.
According to industry watchdog IC360, during those games, enormous wagers were made on two particular pitches. These pitches narrowly missed the strike zone, raising questions about potential insider involvement or manipulation. According to the study, the bets came from jurisdictions that allow sports betting, including Ohio, New Jersey, and New York. It seems that the bets were not random based on their timing and focus.
Governor DeWine’s statement and rationale
Governor Mike DeWine has called for a ban on prop betting in Ohio, citing concerns about its impact on the integrity of sports and the safety of athletes. He stated that the evidence of harm caused by prop betting in the state is increasing. DeWine pointed to a rise in threats against athletes and questioned whether the practice is affecting the fairness of games.
He warned that if fans begin to doubt the legitimacy of sports outcomes or believe athletes are influenced by betting activity, public confidence in sports could decline. DeWine described prop betting as a social and ethical trial that, in his view, has not produced positive results.
DeWine stated, “The evidence that prop betting is harming athletics in Ohio is reaching critical mass. First, there were threats on Ohio athletes, and now two high-profile Ohio professional athletes have been suspended by Major League Baseball as part of a ‘sports betting investigation.’”
The evidence that prop betting is harming athletics in Ohio is reaching critical mass. A particular problem is with micro prop bets – prop bets on highly specific events within games that are completely controlled by one player.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) July 31, 2025
More: https://t.co/L2hpuPWOcl pic.twitter.com/FGZUh7nshT
The bigger picture
Some professional athletes have reported receiving threats and harassment linked to prop betting. Lance McCullers Jr. stated that his family was threatened by an intoxicated bettor overseas. Nathaniel Lowe of the Nationals mentioned receiving abusive messages regularly, including harmful language. These incidents highlight the impact that betting on individual player performance can have on athletes.
Governor DeWine has asked the Ohio Casino Control Commission to act right now. Their choice may have an impact on how other states handle laws pertaining to prop betting.
DeWine further added, “The harm to athletes and the integrity of the game is clear, and the benefits are not worth the harm. The prop betting experiment in this country has been a resounding failure. I call on the Casino Control Commission to correct this problem and remove all prop bets from the Ohio marketplace.”
College sports and prop bet ban
Following events involving University of Dayton student-athletes, Ohio outlawed prop bets on collegiate sports in February of the prior year. Players received derogatory insults and pleas for money over digital networks after missing free throws. The NCAA stepped in to address the issue.
In response, NCAA President Charlie Baker has advocated for a nationwide ban on college prop bets, citing concerns over athlete safety and the integrity of collegiate sports.
Baker said, “The horrific messages we are seeing across online platforms are unacceptable. Angry fans are sending numerous abusive messages and threats to student-athletes, publicly and privately, because of lost bets placed on the athlete’s performance in a game.”
The economics of prop betting
Prop bets account for a sizable amount of sportsbook profits. These businesses might suffer immediate financial losses as a result of a prohibition. Some contend, however, that the long-term advantages for athlete safety and sports integrity outweigh the financial costs.
House Bill 33, which also includes revisions to gambling laws and budgetary allotments, includes Governor DeWine’s suggested modifications. The Ohio Casino Control Commission will determine whether the state will become the first to ban all prop bets, including those on professional sports.
Several states, including New York and Pennsylvania, have already banned prop bets on college sports. A proposal to outlaw microbets, which are similar to prop bets but more common and thought to be more prone to promote compulsive gambling, is presently being examined in New Jersey.
