Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Washington Senator Maria Cantwell are putting increasing pressure on MLB as they begin a Senate inquiry into potential gambling corruption.
The investigation comes as two Cleveland Guardians pitchers face federal charges after being accused of rigging pitches.
Key Takeaways
- Senators call for an inquiry into alleged gambling corruption.
- The probe will review documents from federal agencies, MLB, and sportsbook operators.
- The inquiry comes after two pitchers were indicted on charges regarding bribes taken to manipulate bets.
The probe, launched earlier this week in the Senate Commerce Committee, will include reviewing documents and briefings from sportsbooks, federal regulators, and MLB.
The committee sent a letter to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, requesting internal policies, disciplinary records, and communications regarding gambling regulations.
Additionally, it is further seeking information from gambling operators and federal agencies, stating a new need for oversight, and to ensure athletes are not vulnerable to foreign influence, coercion, or financial exploitation.
Cruz said in the letter that MLB and sports in general are facing an "integrity crisis."
Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz pleaded not guilty to charges that allege they accepted bribes to help bettors win bets regarding individual pitches.
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Damon Jones pleads not guilty in gambling case
In the NBA, similar indictments are being made, after Damon Jones was charged with using insider information and profiting from rigged poker games.
Jones, a former player and assistant coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently pleaded not guilty. The charges claim he messaged a co-conspirator regarding a 2023 game, telling them to place bets on the Milwaukee Bucks, after receiving information that a Los Angeles Lakers player would sit out.
Among the 33 others who were indicted include Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier.
Amid the scandal, Congress requested a briefing from NBA commissioner Adam Silver last month.
UFC bettors refunded after controversial fight
Another sport faced integrity issues earlier in November, prompting two sportsbooks to refund bettors. In the UFC, suspicious betting activity was raised after the odds for fighter Isaac Dulgarian plummeted from -240 to -160, which led to losing bettors receiving their money returned from major sportsbooks.
Both Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill confirmed to bettors after the fight that those who had losing bets would be refunded within 24 hours. DraftKings faced backlash online after not immediately confirming whether refunds would be processed.
"DraftKings is aware of potential concerns related to the Isaac Dulgarian vs. Yadier Del Valle event from this past weekend and is actively investigating the matter. We are working with integrity monitors and will provide updates to customers as they become available," a DraftKings spokesperson said in a statement to Covers.
The UFC confirmed it takes the allegations “very seriously” and has since released Dulgarian. The fighter has also been suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission as the FBI and UFC investigate him for potential fight-fixing.
