An overwhelming majority of MLB players have been confronted by sports bettors over lost wagers tied to their performance, according to a survey conducted by The Athletic.
Key Takeaways
- One surveyed player predicted that 95% of MLB players would say they have been confronted by bettors.
- An angry sports bettor repeatedly requested $3,000 from a pitcher after losing parlays.
- Sportsbooks can suspend or ban accounts of individuals who engage in harassment.
The Athletic released separate survey results from anonymous MLB players in late June. Only 55% of competitors said they felt the league had devoted “sufficient attention and resources” to protecting games from the influence of gamblers with harmful intentions.
The new poll focused on direct confrontations between bettors and players, both online and in person. Eighty-one of the 100 surveyed players had experienced them.
“Is anyone going to answer no to this?” a National League pitcher asked. “Even if you’re not on social media, people find you.”
An AL hitter predicted that 95% of survey participants would answer “Yes,” while another AL player said constant sports betting messages prompted them to leave social media.
“If your social media is private,” an NL pitcher said, “They’ll find your family members.”
Messaging can also extend beyond popular social media platforms. Payment service Venmo allows individuals to send or request money with messages attached.
“You cost me my parlay,” one AL East pitcher recalled being told while being asked for $3,000. “Let’s do the right thing.”
The pitcher told the bettor his worst day was “still better than your best day.”
The bettor sent another $3,000 request after the pitcher’s next outing, sending a message that read: “You did so poorly today, you don’t deserve to get paid.” The pitcher paid the $3,000 and told the bettor he made “way more than three grand in a day.”
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Escalating interactions
The survey results show how sports betting can affect players even when they aren't directly involved in gambling.
MLB and its players' union explicitly prohibit betting-related harassment in their collective bargaining agreement. Major sportsbooks also have the power to suspend or ban individuals who are found guilty of abusing or harassing players, coaches, officials, or team personnel.
While some interactions may be relatively harmless, others can cross the line into threats and abuse.
“(I get threatened) all the time,” one NL outfielder said. “Like, ‘I hope you die.’ ‘I hope your family dies.’ ‘You ruined my parlay.’ All the time. Ever since betting became legal, it’s become ridiculous.”
“I would have a good outing,” an AL pitcher said. “Guys would kind of m*****f*** me for having a good outing because they have the over on a game. Or I would have a bad outing and they would say the same thing, that they had the under or whatever it may be. It’s pretty much every game.”
Another player described the emotional reactions that can follow a losing bet.
“Something that stands out is when someone is very clearly emotional from losing and will say, ‘F*** you. I hate you. I can’t pay my rent because of you,’” an NL pitcher said. “There will be times people do that and then a day or a few hours later, they’re like, ‘Hey, man. Sorry.’ It’s such an emotional, volatile situation.”
Fanatics takes action
Fanatics became the first U.S. sports betting operator to announce it would take sweeping action against abusive sports bettors.
The gaming, merchandise, and memorabilia company partnered with Integrity Compliance 360 to use its ProhiBet Bad Actor technology to identify customers who send threatening and abusive messages to players, coaches, and officials. Identified individuals could have their accounts suspended or banned, starting in the fall.
Other operators can also suspend or ban accounts when there is sufficient evidence of harassment.
