Major League Baseball announced Monday that U.S. sports betting operators have agreed to set a $200 wager limit on pitch-level markets following the sport’s latest gambling scandal.
Key Takeaways
- MLB and its sportsbook partners agreed on a $200 limit for pitch-level markets.
- The league hopes this reduction will diminish the incentive to engage in misconduct.
- Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were part of an unsealed federal indictment that alleges they were involved in a betting scheme.
Monday’s collaboration comes a day after an indictment with multiple charges for Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase was unsealed by federal prosecutors, alleging both players took part in a scheme that involved fixing pitches for "corrupt sports bettors."
MLB said the new safeguards on pitching micro-bets include parlays and are “intended to mitigate integrity risks and maintain the transparency and data access.” This new measure covers 98% of the U.S. betting market and targets props like balls and strikes, which Ortiz and Clase are accused of manipulating.
The MLB Commissioner’s Office worked with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on the solution.
“I also commend the industry for working with us to take action on a national solution to address the risks posed by these pitch-level markets, which are particularly vulnerable to integrity concerns,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “We look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders, including licensed sports betting operators, elected officials, and regulators, to ensure we are always protecting the integrity of our game.”
Diminishing incentives
MLB said “most” prop bets have limited risk because they involve more than one actor, but the league believes limiting the amount that can be won on pitch prop markets diminishes the incentive to engage in misconduct.
Ortiz and Clase allegedly manipulated first-pitch betting markets, and they were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy. The two pitchers were placed on nondisciplinary leave over the summer and face a 65-year prison sentence.
“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 said. “I urge other sports leagues to follow Major League Baseball’s example with similar action.”
Working together
The NBA is also facing a manipulation scheme involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, who was arrested last month and charged with wire fraud. Former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter was involved in a similar gambling scheme in 2024.
The pro basketball league has also been working with U.S. sportsbooks to adjust betting markets that can easily be manipulated.
DraftKings told ESPN on Monday that the online sportsbook collaborated with MLB and was adhering to the prop wager limits. FanDuel president Christian Genetski said the sportsbook has a “foundation of dialogue and collaboration with league partners.”
“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 said.
