Ohio Plans Microbet Ban Amid Guardians MLB Gambling Investigation

Major League Baseball is currently grappling with a significant gambling scandal centered on two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who are under investigation for suspicious betting activity on specific pitches. This has prompted Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to call on the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) to ban certain microbets, which are highly specific in-game wagers controlled by a single player, such as bets on MLB first pitches. The OCCC is drafting a rule to prohibit these player-specific prop bets, a move that could set a precedent in regulating sports betting integrity, though the rule is not expected to take effect until mid-September or later after public hearings and legislative approval. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed openness to eliminating some forms of microbets, acknowledging their vulnerability to abuse and the threat they pose to the integrity of the game. Ohio currently hosts 15 legal online sportsbooks, and the proposed regulatory changes reflect broader concerns about the impact of prop betting on athletes and the sport's credibility. The ongoing investigations and regulatory response highlight the increasing scrutiny facing sports betting, indicating a pivotal moment for MLB and state authorities in addressing gambling-related risks.